PITTSBURGH —
Justin Verlander pitched a five-hitter Sunday, Quintin Berry hit a two-run shot for his first major league home run and the Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2.
Berry also scored the go-ahead run on Delmon Young’s single in the eighth, an inning after Garrett Jones tied it with a two-run homer.
Five weeks after he took a no-hitter into the ninth against the Pirates in Detroit on May 18, Verlander (8-4) had allowed only two infield hits through six innings Sunday before Pedro Alvarez singled with one out in the seventh. Jones followed by launching a 1-1 changeup into a sliver of seating in right-center.
Detroit avoided a sweep, winning for only the second time in five games.
Berry’s homer off of Kevin Correia four pitches into the game was his first in 96 career big league at-bats. Austin Jackson singled ahead of Berry.
Pittsburgh remained one game behind the Cincinnati Reds, who lost to Minnesota, in the NL Central.
The Tigers matched their run total for the first two games of the series combined before many in the crowd of 35,179 had even settled into their seats. The series drew 111,878 to PNC Park, the fifth-most for a three-game series at the 12-year-old ballpark.
Pittsburgh had won 16 of its past 20 at home and had already clinched its fifth consecutive series victory at PNC Park with consecutive 4-1 wins Friday and Saturday.
A sweep appeared out of the question once Verlander was handed a two-run lead. He has won three consecutive starts and kept his pitch count low through six innings Sunday.
But Jones tied it with his ninth homer and second in four games.
The tie lasted only a half-inning. Berry walked with one out and stole second. Chris Resop (0-3) intentionally walked Prince Fielder to face Young, who was 1 for 9 in the series until singling in his previous at-bat.
He singled to right to score Berry.
Verlander retired all six Pirates batters he faced after that, striking out three to give him seven in the game. He needed 117 pitches to toss his fourth complete game of the season and 18th of his career.
After allowing the home run two batters into the game, Correia retired 12 of the next 15 and did not allow another runner to advance past second.
Counting 51/3 shutout innings in a win against Minnesota Tuesday, Correia has put together two consecutive strong outings.
General Manager Neal Huntington said RHP Jeff Karstens will be activated from the disabled list to start a game this week but did not announce whom he would replace in the rotation. Correia has been seen as a possibility.
Notes: Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected by home plate umpire Marty Foster for arguing a checked-swing call on 1B Casey McGehee. ... Pittsburgh claimed INF/OF Drew Sutton off waivers from Tampa Bay. He will report to the team later in the week. The Pirates also recalled RHP Bryan Morris before the game and optioned INF Jordy Mercer to Triple-A. ... The Tigers continue their roadtrip with three games in Texas. RHP Rick Porcello (4-5, 4.95) will start today and manager Jim Leyland had yet to announce whom he would start Tuesday. LHP Drew Smyly and RHP Jacob Turner are candidates. Smyly is on the disabled list; Turner, a rookie, made his first start of the season on Thursday. ... Pittsburgh begins a four-game series in Philadelphia today. The Pirates took two of three from the Phillies at home to open the season.
Sports
Tigers avoid sweep
- Sports
-
-
Third-period outburst gives Pens 3-1 lead
Sidney Crosby was careful not to get too far ahead of himself after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins rout the Ottawa Senators for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
-
Liriano dominant in third start with Bucs
Francisco Liriano’s fastball is going where he wants it to. The Pittsburgh Pirates are following suit.
-
Miller improving, but cautious about return
Heath Miller knows his football career isn’t over, just paused. When the injured Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl tight end will be able to hit the “play” button again is anybody’s guess.
-
Senators relish chance to even series with Penguins
After a win in Game 3, the Ottawa Senators are confident they can tie their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
-
Snider’s grand slam lifts Bucs over Cubs
Travis Snider took a pregame pep talk from his manager to heart. Relaxed and with a clear head, he delivered a crucial sixth-inning home run for the second time in five games.
-
Humbled Steelers ready to forget offseason
Troy Polamalu walked off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice field on Tuesday with rookie safety Shamarko Thomas hanging on the veteran safety’s every word.
-
Palmer to leave UPJ women’s position
Sasha Palmer will embark on a new chapter as a women’s basketball coach next month.
-
Sumney added to SFU men’s coaching staff
St. Francis men’s basketball coach Rob Krimmel filled a vacancy on his coaching staff Monday with the hiring of Mike Sumney as an associate head coach.
-
Goalie Anderson gives Senators a chance
Craig Anderson has his game back, and just in time to give the Senators a chance.
-
Ottawa rallies to top Pittsburgh
Colin Greening scored 7:39 into double overtime, and the Ottawa Senators rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins that cut their series deficit to 2-1 on Sunday night.
Daniel Alfredsson got Ottawa even 1-1 by scoring a short-handed goal with 29 seconds left in regulation just after the Senators pulled goalie Craig Anderson for an extra skater. - More Sports Headlines
-
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Coach's quick call saves Moore football team
Sergio Garcia issues an apology to Tiger Woods
Sergio Garcia makes insensitive remark about Tiger Woods
Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims
Tiger Woods on his relationship with Sergio Garcia
NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
Race Preview: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Behind the Seams: Big Spenders are Busts
Red Wings take 2-1 series lead
McReynolds: Johnson Coca-Cola 600 favorite?
McReynolds: 48 Team primed for Chase
Myers: 'We still need to do some evaluating as to what exactly we need'
Weekend Recruiting Wrap
Heat vs. Pacers: Playoff grudge match
Triple Play: Miguel Cabrera, Giants, and Rays
Globe 10.0: Can the Bruins young defensemen keep playing well?
