DETROIT, June 28 (UPI) -- Rookie right-hander Justin Verlander hurled eight scoreless innings Wednesday afternoon to help Detroit beat Houston, 5-0, completing a three-game sweep.
Ivan Rodriguez had two runs and two hits; Marcus Thames, Brandon Inge and Chris Shelton each had an RBI; and Placido Polanco had a run and two hits for the Tigers, who ran their major league-best record to 54-25 with their sixth straight victory.
Verlander (10-4) yielded three hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out seven.
Jason Lane, Lance Berkman and Eric Munson each had one hit for the Astros (38-41), who have lost three in a row and six of their last seven games.
Losing pitcher Andy Pettitte (6-9), who was hurt by two costly errors, gave up five runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings.
