Verlander cools Dodgers; Stanton hits HR No. 45
DETROIT — Justin Verlander approached this start like a postseason game, fully aware of how tough the Los Angeles Dodgers are to beat right now.
After five innings, Verlander had a no-hitter going — but so did Kenta Maeda. Then Detroit 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 a six-game winning streak by Los Angeles.
The Tigers star allowed a home run to Curtis Granderson in the sixth, but shortly after his no-hit bid ended, Detroit broke up Maeda’s and took the lead in the bottom of the inning.
Verlander (9-8) walked one and struck out nine.
“Verlander certainly showed today that he’s still an ace,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He hasn’t had the career he’s had by accident.”
Maeda (11-5) retired the first 15 Detroit batters before allowing five hits in the sixth. He was pulled after that inning and lost for the first time in seven starts.
Verlander has pitched two no-hitters in his career. He retired the first 13 Los Angeles hitters, taming the team with by far the best record in the major leagues.
“If Justin Verlander’s pitching well, it doesn’t matter. It could be the ’27 Yankees,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.
CUBS 6, BLUE JAYS 5 (10): In Chicago, Alex Avila capped Chicago’s three-run 10th inning with a two-run single, and the Cubs swept Toronto.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Avila lined a base hit into right field against Roberto Osuna (3-4). Ben Zobrist scored easily and Javier Baez slid in safely just ahead of the tag attempt by Raffy Lopez.
TWINS 12, DIAMONDBACKS 5: In Minneapolis, Eddie Rosario hit a grand slam in a nine-run first inning and Minnesota completed a three-game sweep.
NATIONALS 4, PADRES 1: In San Diego, Gio Gonzalez allowed only five singles and struck out eight and almost got through the seventh inning to lead Washington.
BRAVES 8, REDS 1: In Atlanta, Tyler Flowers’ grand slam broke open a close game in Atlanta’s six-run fifth inning and the Braves beat Cincinnati.
MARLINS 6, METS 4: In New York, Giancarlo Stanton hit his major leagueleading 45th home run and Adam Conley struck out a career-high 11, leading Miami.
BREWERS 8, ROCKIES 4: In Denver, Jesus Aguilar homered twice, Chase Anderson won in his return from the disabled list and
Milwaukee earned its sixth victory in seven games. PHIILLIES 5, GIANTS 2: In San Francisco, rookie Rhys Hoskins homered again and Pedro Florimon contributed with his bat and arm, sending Philadelphia to a win.
ROYALS 7, INDIANS 4: In Kansas City, Mo., Cheslor Cuthbert homered and drove in three runs, Alcides Escobar also had three RBIs and the Royals avoided a three-game sweep.
RED SOX 5, YANKEES 1: In Boston, Jackie Bradley Jr. tripled in two runs and singled in another, and Rick Porcello pitched six innings of a combined three-hitter to help the AL East-leading Red Sox extend their margin over the Yankees to five games.
ANGELS 5, ORIOLES 4: In Baltimore, pinch-hitter Cameron Maybin singled in the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and the Angels won for the ninth time in 11 games.
RAYS 3, MARINERS 0: In St. Petersburg, Fla., Blake Snell allowed only two hits in seven innings for his second consecutive win and Tampa Bay beat Seattle.
WHITE SOX 3, RANGERS 2: In Arlington, Texas, Miguel Gonzalez escaped early trouble and pitched six scoreless innings, leading the Chicago White Sox over the Texas Rangers 3-2 ATHLETICS 3, ASTROS 2: In Houston, Marcus Semien wound up with what he called a “Little League home run” when Houston kept throwing the ball away on his infield hit and Oakland beat the Astros.