Tiger’s ace Justin Verlander took a 1-hit shutout with a 2-to-0 lead into the ninth inning yesterday against the Rays and the table seemed all set for Detroit to make it 5 straight wins to begin the season.

But Tampa Bay wasn’t buying it and the Rays rallied with four runs and beat the Tigers 4-to-2 at Comerica Park. Verlander, who had thrown just 81 pitches before the ninth, was charged with all four runs to take the loss

Evan Longoria's one out RBI single on a 100 mph fastball that bounced past a diving Miguel Cabrera tied the game at two for Tampa Bay and chased Verlander, who in 2 starts has held his opponents to just a .107 batting average and yet he’s now 0-and-1.

Ray’s starter James Shields worked eight innings of two-run ball for the win. Former Tiger closer Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth to notch his third save.

Cabrera singled in a run and Andy Dirks scored on a balk for Detroit, which had a 229-and-1 record since 2009 when leading after eight innings. Twenty-two-year old Detroit left hander Drew Smyly will make his major league debut this afternoon in the finale of the 3-game series.

Some positive news for the Tigers on Wednesday with word that designated hitter Victor Martinez does not need a second surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Martinez, who suffered a torn ACL during his offseason conditioning, had microfracture surgery in January. He was supposed to have another surgery last week. Martinez will continue physical therapy until undergoing an MRI in July to determine if he can return late this season.

The White Sox won yesterday afternoon at Cleveland 10-to-6 while the Cubs saw their record dip to 1-and-5 with their 2-to-1 loss to the Brewers at Wrigley Field.