Tigers 5, White Sox 0
Justin Verlander became the first Detroit Tigers pitcher in 38 years to win 23 games as he dominated the host Chicago White Sox over seven innings en route to a 5-0 victory Tuesday.
Victor Martinez hit a three-run homer and Alex Avila added an RBI for the Tigers, who have won 11 straight games and reduced their magic number to clinch the American League Central to four.
Verlander (23-5) has won 11 straight starts to become the first Detroit hurler since Hall of Famer Hal Newhouser in 1946 to accomplish that feat. The All-Star righthander allowed six hits and walked two while striking out six Tuesday.
Verlander, the heavy favorite for the American League Cy Young and a trendy pick for MVP as well, is tied for the major league lead in ERA at 2.36 and paces all pitchers in strikeouts (238), wins, innings pitched (236) and WHIP (0.92).
The White Sox stayed in the game until the sixth, when Martinez battled back from an 0-2 count and got a 3-2 fastball from Gavin Floyd (12-11). Martinez turned on the inside pitch and cracked it deep into the right field seats for his 11th homer.
Joe Coleman finished 23-15 for the 1973 Tigers.