Detroit Tigers Defeat Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 Behind Verlander and Rodriguez

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the middle game of their 3 game series.

Justin Verlander made his fourth straight strong start as he treated fans in attendance with a brilliant, but different outing. The Tigers’ lineup was a little shorthanded with Ian Kinsler out of the lineup with flu-like symptoms and Justin Upton out with a tight quad.

Verlander looked to be throwing a cutter tonight around 88-90 mph with his fastball hovering 93-94 mph. He ended the day with a final line of 8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K.

Jeremy Hellickson got the start for the Phillies and also pitched a strong game, but the Tigers struck just enough for the win. He peppered the Tigers with fastballs and changeups in route to a final line of 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. If it weren’t for a fortunate scoring decision on a J.D. Martinez double that could have been called an error, Hellickson could have finished the night surrendering only one run.

The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Cameron Maybin led off with a single to left field. Miguel Cabrera then kept his hot play going with a double off of the top of the left-center field wall to bring home Maybin and give the Tigers the 1-0 lead.

The Tigers extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cameron Maybin led off the inning with another single. J.D. Martinez then hit a ground ball deep to third that went off of the third baseman and into left field for a double that could have easily been called an error. Cabrera then brought home Maybin on a groundout with the infield back. Victor Martinez then singled to left field to bring home J.D. to give the Tigers the 3-0 lead. 

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The Phillies scratched across a run in the bottom of the ninth. Freddy Galvis doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a Maikel Franco single. Tommy Joseph then sizzled a line drive to left field for a sacrifice fly.

Francisco Rodriguez then shut the door on the Phillies to end the game to notch the 400^th save of his career becoming the 6^th pitcher in baseball history to accomplish that feat.

Next: Detroit Tigers: The Hot Miguel Cabrera and Major Milestones

The Phillies and Tigers will finish their series Wednesday afternoon at 1:10. Anibal Sanchez will look to make a strong start against struggling offense as Aaron Nola will toe the slab for the Phillies.