Justin Verlander went the distance for the fourth time this season as the Tigers topped the Pirates 3-to-2 yesterday afternoon to salvage the finale of the 3-game series at Pittsburgh. Verlander surrendered a two run homer in the seventh, but allowed just five hits and struck out seven to get his third consecutive win and improve to 8-and-4 on the season. 

Twenty-seven-year old Tiger rookie outfielder Quintin Berry hit a two run homer in the first inning and scored the winning run on Delmon Young’s two out single in the eighth

The Tigers will take a 35-and-37 record to Arlington,Texas, where they open a 3-game series tonight against the Rangers, who have won 11 of 13 and own the best record in baseball at 45-and-28. Despite losing 2 of 3 to the Pirates over the weekend, Detroit wrapped up interleague play for the season with a winning record of 11-and-7 against National League teams.

The Tigers are 3-games off the pace in the American League Central, which has a new first place team as the White Sox moved a half game up on the Indians with Chicago beating the Brewers 1-to-0 while Cleveland lost 7-to-1 at Houston. The Cubs fell 5-to-1 at Arizona. And a trade grabbed some headlines yesterday as the White Sox acquired third baseman Kevin Youkilis from the Red Sox in exchange for a pitching prospect and a utility infielder. The 33-year old Youkilis, who has a career .286 average in eight seasons, all with Boston, is hitting just .233 this year with 4 home runs and 14 rbi’s.