ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Justin Verlander outlasted Chris Archer for his first win this season and the Detroit Tigers avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Wednesday.
Verlander (1-3), who retired his first 14 batters before Asdrubal Cabrera homered on an 0-1 pitch with two outs in the fifth, gave up one run, four hits and had 10 strikeouts.
Archer (9-8) lost a perfect game bid and the lead in the seventh inning. The right-hander, 0-4 over six starts since beating Toronto on June 23, allowed two unearned runs, three hits and struck out 11 in seven innings.
