Verlander prevails in pitchers’ duel

DETROIT — Justin Verlander approached this start like a postseason game, fully aware of how tough the Dodgers are to beat right now.

After five innings, Verlander had a no-hitter going — but so did Kenta Maeda. Then the Tigers broke through for four runs in the sixth, giving Verlander a little more margin for error.

“It’s impossible to really create a playoff atmosphere without being in the playoffs, but I tried my best to do that,” Verlander said. “There was that much more focus and intensity in every pitch.”

Verlander allowed two hits in eight innings and the Tigers beat the Dodgers 6-1 on Sunday, snapping their six-game skid and halting the Dodgers’ six-game winning streak.

The Tigers star allowed a home run to Curtis Granderson in the sixth, but shortly after his bid for the third no-hitter of his career ended the Tigers broke up Maeda’s and took the lead in the bottom of the inning.

Verlander (9-8) walked and struck out nine.

“If Justin Verlander’s pitching well, it doesn’t matter,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “It one could be the ’27 Yankees (and) the numbers are going to look pretty good for Ver at the end of the game if he’s pitching like he did today.”

Said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: “Verlander certainly showed that he’s still an ace. He hasn’t had the career he’s had by accident.”

Maeda (11-5) retired the first 15 batters he faced before allowing five hits in the sixth, the biggest being Justin Upton’s tworun homer.

“It all happened very quickly,” Roberts said. “He hung a slider in Justin’s turbo zone. You can’t do that right now.”