MLB: Detroit 6, Oakland 1

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Justin Verlander gave up a run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings Saturday afternoon, as the Detroit Tigers beat Oakland, 6-1.

While improving to 15-5 this season with the fourth win in his last five starts, the fireballing right-hander walked three batters and fanned 10.

Detroit led, 3-0, after three innings on RBI doubles by Magglio Ordonez in the first and Ryan Rayburn in the third, when Curtis Granderson hit a solo homer.

Granderson had three runs, four hits and two RBI. Placido Polanco had one run, three hits and one RBI, and Carlos Guillen added a seventh inning sacrifice fly, as the Tigers got the second win in their last three games.

Mike Piazza produced Oakland’s only run with a solo homer in the fourth. He was one of three players with two hits for the Athletics, who had won two straight.

The loser was Dan Haren (14-6).