Detroit: Justin Verlander struck out 10 batters, including the 2,000th of his career, to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 6-3 on Wednesday.
The Tigers have won four straight, equalling a season high, after losing 11 of 12 games.
Verlander (3-4) allowed six hits and three runs over 7 1/3 innings while matching his season high in strikeouts. He joined Mickey Lolich as the two pitchers in franchise history with 2,000 career strikeouts, and became the 76th in baseball history to reach the milestone.
Ricky Nolasco (1-2) gave up nine hits and four runs over five innings.
The Twins have lost 11 of 13, dropping to 10-29 for the worst record in the majors.
Meanwhile, Eric Hosmer homered for the second straight day, Kansas City turned their first three hits off Steven Wright into runs and held off Boston to open a split-double header.
Hosmer followed a single by Alcides Escobar with a homer in the first inning, and Lorenzo Cain added a sacrifice fly following a triple by Jarrod Dyson in the sixth for the Royals’ only offence.
It proved to be enough for Ian Kennedy and their bullpen.
Kennedy allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings, striking out nine, before Brian Flynn — who earned his first career win — and Luke Hochevar combined to strike out four consecutive batters.
Wade Davis worked around a single in ninth for his ninth save.
Wright (3-4) surrendered five hits without a walk in a complete game for Boston.
—AP
