Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who left his previous start with a blister on his pitching thumb, bounced back with a dominant performance Tuesday night against the Twins.

Verlander allowed a run-scoring double to Wilkin Ramirez in the 6-1 win. The left-hander allowed five hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked two in 114 pitches, 73 for strikes. It was his second-longest outing of the season.

Verlander, who has thrown 91-plus pitches in each of his starts, was not bothered by his thumb but said said he experienced bleeding.

"It bled a little bit, but it was just kind of superficial," Verlander said. "I was able to kind of manage it, which is why I came out of the game after seven last time."

Verlander is 9-0 in his last 10 starts against Minnesota. He has allowed five runs and has struck out 30 in his last 27 innings.

The 30-year-old is scheduled to start Sunday at Houston. He is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his first three starts away from Comerica Park.