Tigers Win Nightcap, Shut Out Bosox

Justin Verlander pitched like he was trying to stop a losing streak.  His teammates gave him some early run support, and it was enough for the Tigers to split a day-night doubleheader with a 3-0 win in the second game. 

Verlander went 7 & 2/3rds innings and threw 132 pitches before Joaquin Benoit got the final out of the 8th inning.  Closer Jose Valverde aquitted himself nicely after giving up a 9th inning homer to lose the opening game.  This time Valverde earned his 12th save in 12 opportunities by getting the Red Sox out in the 9th, 1-2-3.  The final out of the game came when David Ortiz grounded out to first.  Ortiz had homered off Valverde in the two previous times he had faced the Tiger closer.

The Tigers got runs batted in from Brennan Boesch, Miguel Cabrera and Don Kelly.  That was enough this time around as the Tiger pitchers blanked the powerful Boston lineup.  The Tigers won't face Boston again this season unless both teams reach postseason play.  The Red Sox won five of six meetings between the two teams.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Tigers open a three game series with the struggling Minnesota Twins.  Brad Penny gets the start for Detroit in the Memorial Day contest at Comerica Park.  1:05 pm first pitch. 

With tonight's win, the Tigers get back to the .500 mark with a 26-26 record, good for 2nd place in the American League Central Division.