Rays 2, Tigers 3
Ryan Raburn's two-run homer in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie and lifted the Detroit Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
With starters Justin Verlander and Matt Garza locked in a pitcher's duel, Raburn put the Tigers ahead for good with a shot to the left-field seats off Garza (11-7) that brought home Brandon Inge ahead of him.
Raburn and Inge did the majority of the damage for Detroit, accounting for four of the team's eight hits and all of its RBIs.
The Rays made a game of it in the ninth after B.J. Upton walked, went to third on a throwing error by Tigers catcher Gerald Laird and scored on a John Jaso groundout. Detroit closer Jose Valverde squashed the rally, inducing Dan Johnson to fly out for his 22nd save.
Verlander (13-7) limited the Rays to a run on six hits over six innings as the Tigers avoided the three-game sweep. Verlander walked three and struck out seven as he ended a personal two-game losing streak.
Garza was tagged for three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out four, and remained winless since throwing a no-hitter July 26 against the Tigers.