Tigers 6, Mariners 4
Andy Dirks and Delmon Young each hit two-run doubles during a four-run second inning, helping Detroit snap a five-game losing streak against Seattle.
Tigers starter Justin Verlander (3-1) wasn’t particularly sharp, but he earned the win after giving up three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts over six innings.
One day after Seattle rallied with three runs in the ninth inning to beat Detroit, Jose Valverde loaded the bases in the ninth inning before Don Kelly ended the game by diving into the stands along the right field foul line to catch Jesus Montero's fly ball.
After Dirks put the Tigers ahead with a run-scoring single in the first inning, Detroit sent eight batters to the plate in the second inning against Kevin Millwood (0-4).
Seattle answered in the third inning when Ichiro Suzuki drove in a run and Kyle Seager knocked in two more with a single to right center field.
Prince Fielder led off the seventh inning with his fifth home run, giving Detroit a 6-3 lead. Seattle cut into the lead with Brendan Ryan’s RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, but the Mariners were unable to mount their second straight comeback.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Verlander has worked six or more innings in each of his last 49 starts dating back to August 22, 2010. ... Tigers manager Jim Leyland was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the bottom of the third inning. … Seager is hitting .348 (16-for-46) with 13 RBIs in his last 13 games. … Valverde recorded his sixth save and has converted 81 of 86 opportunities for the Tigers since the beginning of the 2010 season. … Millwood gave up five runs on eight hits with five walks over five innings.