Orioles 5, Tigers 2
DETROIT -- Adam Jones blasted a three-run homer and J.J. Hardy added a two-run shot as the Baltimore Orioles finally solved Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander in a 5-2 victory on Tuesday at Comerica Park.
Verlander (8-5) had an 8-0 career record against the Orioles, his most wins against any team without a defeat. He gave up five runs on seven hits in five innings and saw his personal four-game winning streak snapped.
Zach Britton (1-1), who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, pitched 5 1/3 innings and held the Tigers to one run on five hits in his second major-league start this season.
Jim Johnson followed three other relievers to record his 26th save, inducing Miguel Cabrera to hit into a double play with two on to end the game.
Jones stretched his hitting streak to seven games and Hardy had three of the Orioles' nine hits. Baltimore is 3-2 against the Central Division-leading Tigers and has 21 road victories, tying Boston for the most among American League teams.
Matt Tuiasosopo's third homer and Austin Jackson's RBI single accounted for Detroit's runs. The Tigers had a baserunner in all but one inning and left 10 stranded.
J.J. Hardy hit his third career homer off Verlander in 30 official at-bats to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Hardy's shot cleared the left-field wall after Matt Wieters drew a one-out walk.
Jones, who was 2-for-26 lifetime against Verlander, made it 5-0 with an opposite-field homer in the fifth. Manny Machado led off with a double and Nick Markakis drew his third walk of the game before Jones' 15th homer this season.
Detroit broke through against Zach Britton in the bottom half of the inning on Matt Tuiasosopo's solo homer.
NOTES: Travis Ishikawa was recalled from Triple A Norfolk on Tuesday and started as the Orioles' designated hitter. Starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who was placed on three-day paternity leave, went to his California home for the birth of his daughter, Leah. He will rejoin the team in Toronto on Thursday and start either Friday or Saturday. ... Cabrera's 71 RBI entering the game were the most by a Tiger through 68 games since Hank Greenberg had 76 in 1937. ... The teams complete their season series on Wednesday when the Orioles' Chris Tillman opposes Rick Porcello. ... Machado's fifth-inning double was his 33rd, tying Brian Roberts' club record for most doubles before the All-Star break. Roberts set the record in 2008. ... University of Michigan basketball coach John Beilein threw out the first pitch.
