CLEVELAND — Justin Verlander pitched the Tigers closer to a division title and pushed the Indians within one loss of matching a franchise record for futility with a 6-5 victory Thursday night.
Verlander struck out 11 in seven innings and Carlos Guillen had three hits and an RBI as the Tigers handed Cleveland its 11th consecutive loss.
The victory moved Detroit three games ahead of the idle Twins in the AL’s Central Division. The Tigers, who have 10 games remaining, open a three- game series at the White Sox tonight.
The Indians haven’t dropped 11 in a row since setting a club record with 12 consecutive losses in 1931. They can match that mark tonight when the Orioles, losers of seven straight, open a weekend series at Progressive Field.
Fernando Rodney earned his 35th save despite allowing a two-run homer to Shin-Soo Choo in the ninth.
Verlander (17-9) entered having lost his last two decisions, but he continued his dominance over the Indians. He won all four of his starts against Cleveland this year, allowing three earned runs in 30 innings (0.90 ERA). The AL leader in strikeouts (256) has registered at least 10 in seven starts this season — and three of those came against the Indians.
Cleveland scored more runs in the third inning Thursday off Verlander than it did in the other 29 innings combined.
