The Tigers, who split the first two games of the World Series here, outscored the Cardinals 28-14 in the weekend series and remained tied with Cleveland for first in the AL Central division. The Cardinals fell 9 1/2 games behind NL Central leaders Milwaukee and are off to their worst start since manager Tony LaRussa joined the club in 1996.
Verlander (5-1), last season’s rookie of the year in the AL, pitched eight strong innings to pick up his fourth victory in four May starts and hand the Cardinals their fifth straight defeat. He retired 10 straight batters after surrendering Chris Duncan ‘s solo homer in the fifth.
The right-hander, who has won all four of his career starts in interleague play, gave up two runs and five hits with three strikeouts in his longest outing of the season.
The Cardinals finished a 2-7 road trip and have lost six of their last seven.
”It’s definitely a disappointing road trip,” Cardinal Brad Thompson said. ”I hope we get back on track when we get home. We have to start playing better baseball, but I’m confident we can do it. I mean, look around this clubhouse. You’ve got All-Stars and future Hall of Famers.”
Duncan gave the Cardinals their only lead of the series when he homered to straight center in the fifth, but Inge put the Tigers back on top for good in the bottom of the inning with his eighth homer of the season.
Detroit’s sweep came on the heels of a 1-3 trip to Boston and just before visits from division leaders Los Angeles and Cleveland.
”It doesn’t get any easier,” Casey said. ”Those are good teams but we feel like we’re a pretty good team right now, too.”