Associated Press Sports
updated 3:43 p.m. ET June 24, 2012
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Justin Verlander pitched a five-hitter Sunday, Quintin Berry hit a two-run shot for his first major league home run and the Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2.
Berry also scored the go-ahead run on Delmon Young's single in the eighth, an inning after Garrett Jones tied it with a two-run homer.
Five weeks after he took a no-hitter into the ninth against the Pirates in Detroit on May 18, Verlander (8-4) had allowed only two infield hits through six innings Sunday before Pedro Alvarez singled with one out in the seventh. Jones followed by launching a 1-1 changeup into a sliver of seating in right-center.
Detroit avoided a sweep, winning for only the second time in five games.
Berry's homer off of Kevin Correia four pitches into the game was his first in 96 career big league at-bats. Austin Jackson singled ahead of Berry.
Pittsburgh remained one game behind the Cincinnati Reds, who lost to Minnesota, in the NL Central.
The Tigers matched their run total for the first two games of the series combined before many in the crowd of 35,179 had even settled into their seats. The series drew 111,878 to PNC Park, the fifth-most for a three-game series at the 12-year-old ballpark.
Pittsburgh had won 16 of its past 20 at home and had already clinched its fifth consecutive series victory at PNC Park with consecutive 4-1 wins Friday and Saturday.
A sweep appeared out of the question once Verlander was handed a two-run lead. He has won three consecutive starts and kept his pitch count low through six innings Sunday.
But Jones tied it with his ninth homer and second in four games.
The tie lasted only a half-inning. Berry walked with one out and stole second. Chris Resop (0-3) intentionally walked Prince Fielder to face Young, who was 1 for 9 in the series until singling in his previous at-bat.
He singled to right to score Berry.
Verlander retired all six Pirates batters he faced after that, striking out three to give him seven in the game. He needed 117 pitches to toss his fourth complete game of the season and 18th of his career.
After allowing the home run two batters into the game, Correia retire 12 of the next 15 and did not allow another runner to advance past second.
Counting 5 1-3 shutout innings in a win against Minnesota Tuesday, Correia has put together two consecutive strong outings. General manager Neal Huntington said RHP Jeff Karstens will be activated from the disabled list to start a game this week but did not announce whom he would replace in the rotation. Correia has been seen as a possibility.
NOTES: Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected by home plate umpire Marty Foster for arguing a checked-swing call on 1B Casey McGehee. ... Pittsburgh claimed INF/OF Drew Sutton off waivers from Tampa Bay. He will report to the team later in the week. The Pirates also recalled RHP Bryan Morris before the game and optioned INF Jordy Mercer to Triple-A. ... The Tigers continue their roadtrip with three games in Texas. RHP Rick Porcello (4-5, 4.95) will start Monday and manager Jim Leyland had yet to announce whom he would start Tuesday. LHP Drew Smyly and RHP Jacob Turner are candidates. Smyly is on the disabled list; Turner, a rookie, made his first start of the season on Thursday. ... Pittsburgh begins a four-game series in Philadelphia Monday. The Pirates took two of three from the Phillies at home to open the season.
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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