Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander appeared doomed for disaster after surrendering home runs to Coco Crisp and Brandon Moss in the first inning. But it was the Athletics who were doomed.
Verlander, who has bounced back from a miserable slump in his last three starts, pitched shutout ball in the last five innings despite giving up six more hits, including four in the third inning. He finished with two earned runs allowed on nine hits in six innings with no walks and four strikeouts.
He has not been dynamite lately, but he has yielded seven earned runs in his last 19 innings. His win Wednesday was his first since May 30. He will try to make it two in a row Tuesday against the Dodgers.