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Inge homer helps topple Brewers

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* AP Wire
June 22, 2009

DETROIT (AP) -- Any thoughts of a repeat no-hitter for Justin Verlander left the park along with that first-inning homer he gave up.

Settling for another win against Milwaukee would have to do.

In his second start against the Brewers, and with the same plate umpire as in his no-hitter, Verlander pitched into the eighth and Brandon Inge hit a three-run homer to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 win over Milwaukee.

"It was ironic to even have the same home-plate umpire, but you can't go into a game thinking about doing something like that," Verlander said. "That's just something where everything in the world goes your way for a night. Besides, it was all gone pretty quickly."

His only other start against Milwaukee had also been with Ron Kulpa behind the plate. Of course, any thoughts of a repeat ended when Casey McGehee homered with one out in the first.

Verlander, though, didn't allow another run until the eighth inning.

"When I saw him in 2007 with Oakland, he had a fastball and a curveball, and he was pretty good," Milwaukee manager Ken Macha said. "Now he's got a changeup and a slider. That's how a pitcher takes a step to the next level."

Verlander (8-3) allowed two runs on five hits in 72/3 innings. He struck out eight while improving to 8-1 since April 27.

"The way you win in the majors is to have enough hot players to pick up the guys who might not be," Inge said. "Right now, Verlander and (Edwin) Jackson have been carrying us, and there will be a time where we carry them."

Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 14th straight save.

Yovani Gallardo (7-4) shut out the Tigers for the first five innings, but allowed Inge's two-out homer to left in the sixth after singles by Miguel Cabrera and Don Kelly.

"That was a great start by Yo -- that's as good as we've gotten in a while," Macha said. "He hung a two-out slider and the guy hits a three-run homer. That was about the only thing he did wrong, but we didn't get many chances against the other guy."

Interleague

Cardinals 12, Royals 5

At Kansas City, Albert Pujols finished off a three-day romp in Kansas City with two homers and six RBIs, helping the St. Louis Cardinals give win No. 2,500 to manager Tony La Russa. Pujols matched Stan Musial's team record of nine career slams. His fifth multihomer game this season helped La Russa join Connie Mack (3,831) and John McGraw (2,763) as the only managers with 2,500 victories.

Orioles 2, Phillies 1

At Philadelphia, Brian Roberts had the decisive hit for the second straight day, a tiebreaking single in the eighth off Cole Hamels (4-3), and Baltimore matched a season high with its fifth consecutive victory.

The Phillies have lost a season-worst six straight. Philadelphia fell to 13-22 at home -- the Phillies are a major league-best 23-9 on the road.

Red Sox 6, Braves 5

At Boston, Nick Green homered just inside the Pesky Pole in right field on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth to win it. David Ortiz hit his sixth homer, a two-run shot.

Marlins 6, Yankees 5

At Miami, Hanley Ramirez and Cody Ross homered, and Florida held off a late rally to beat the struggling Yankees after CC Sabathia left early with an injury.

Dodgers 5, Angels 3

At Anaheim, Calif., James Loney hit a two-run homer that was upheld by video review and Clayton Kershaw (4-5) pitched seven shutout innings to help the Dodgers beat John Lackey (2-3) and take two of three in the Freeway Series. Jonathan Broxton got four outs for his 17th save.

Rays 10, Mets 6

At New York, B.J. Upton homered and matched a career high with four RBIs as Tampa Bay broke out of its offensive slumber. Upton and Evan Longoria each had four hits for the Rays. The Mets have won only one series this month, against last-place Washington.

Blue Jays 9, Nationals 4

At Washington, Toronto avoided the unsavory distinction of becoming the first team to be swept by the lowly Nationals, getting five RBIs from Lyle Overbay and a solid outing by Ricky Romero (4-3). The loss snapped a season-high four-game winning streak for Washington.

Astros 4, Twins 1

At Minneapolis, Wandy Rodriguez (6-6) pitched two-hit ball over seven innings for his first win in more than a month. Houston has won six of its past seven series.

Padres 4, Athletics 1

At San Diego, Kevin Correia (4-5) carried a shutout into the seventh and combined with three relievers on a two-hitter. Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a two-run homer and Heath Bell got his 19th save in 20 chances. The Padres are 6-26 against AL teams since June 20, 2007.

Giants 3, Rangers 2

At San Francisco, Barry Zito (4-7) took a no-hit bid into the seventh, Randy Winn hit a go-ahead single and the Giants completed a series sweep. Zito outpitched Kevin Millwood (7-5) and didn't allow a hit until Andruw Jones' two-run homer with none out in the seventh.

Mariners 3, Diamondbacks 2

At Seattle, Tony Clark dropped a routine throw to first base, allowing Ronny Cedeno to score the winning run with two outs in the ninth. The Mariners swept the three-game series and climbed above .500 for the first time since May 7.

National League

Rockies 5, Pirates 4

At Denver, Clint Barmes homered, drove in two runs and scored two more as surging Colorado completed a sweep for its 16th victory in 17 games. The Rockies are 18-5 under manager Jim Tracy, who took over when Clint Hurdle was fired. Huston Street earned his 16th save in 17 chances.




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