Justin Verlander earned his sixth win of the season as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-3 Thursday in the series finale. The Tigers ace pitched eight innings allowing just two runs with eight strikeouts.
The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Verlander struggled in the bottom of the second, surrendering his only two runs of the game.
Tied at two in the seventh, Austin Jackson singled in Ryan Raburn to reclaim the lead. In the top of the ninth, Jackson added a couple of insurance runs with a two-run home run.
Jose Valverde entered the bottom of the ninth with a three run lead, however would allow one run before picking up his 13th save of the season.
The Tigers, winners of 4 of their last 5, will continue interleague play this weekend as they host the Colorado Rockies.
