Tigers make it six straight



By Steve Knoche/Sports Editor
Photography by Ron Harper/Sports Director
Tell Us Detroit


The Detroit Tigers won their sixth straight game and swept their second straight series Wednesday afternoon with a 5-0 victory over the Houston Astros.

Justin Verlander recorded the win, pitching eight shutout winnings, allowing theree hits and no walks while striking out seven Astros.

The win was the Tigers 17th in the last 20 games.
In the fourth, Detroit scored the only run it needed when Ivan Rodriquez crossed the plate after a two-out throwing error by Houston shortstop Erin Bruntlett.

The Tigers added two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to secure the victory.

Rodriguez went 2-4 with two runs. Inge was 2-4 with an RBI. Polanco went 2-5 with a run.

The Tigers defeated Roger Clemens and the Astros 4-0 on Tuesday in front of a packed house. Clemens allowed only three hits through six innings but in the seventh with runners on first he was replaced by Dan Wheeler who gave up a two run double to Craig Monroe. Clemens was charged with the loss.

Nate Robertson picked up the win for Detroit, giving up six hits and three walks in seven innings. Todd Jones pitched a perfect ninth inning.

Detroit took the series' opening game 10-6 on Monday night. The Astros jumped on the board first with a run in the first, but Detroit's five-run third inning was all the team neede to cruise to victory. The Tigers scored one run in both the fourth and seventh innings before adding three in the eighth.

Zach Miner picked up his fourth win of the year allowing three earned runs on 10 hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. Rodriguez went 3-5 with three RBIs and two runs.
 

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