(Sports Network) - Jhonny Peralta hit a three-run homer and drove in a total of four runs to back Justin Verlander's fourth complete game of the season, as the Detroit Tigers dominated the Minnesota Twins, 10-1, in the opener of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
Casper Wells hit a solo homer and knocked in a total of three runs for the Tigers, who have won six of seven. Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer.
Verlander (18-8) gave up one unearned run on five hits to win his fifth straight decision. The right-hander also struck out 11 batters and walked none. The four complete games is a career-high.
Michael Cuddyer drove in the lone run for the Twins, who secured the American League Central title on Tuesday. Minnesota saw a three-game win streak come to an end, and it is tied with Tampa Bay atop the AL standings in the race for home-field advantage.
Francisco Liriano (14-9) went three-plus innings before leaving the game due to illness. He gave up two runs on four hits to suffer his second straight loss.
After giving up a leadoff single to Denard Span in the top of the first, Verlander retired eight straight batters prior to Span's two-out single in the third. Span stole second before Orlando Hudson grounded out.
The Tigers broke a scoreless tie in the fourth. Ryan Raburn singled and crossed the plate on Cabrera's homer to left-center field. Peralta walked and Wells came to the plate. The trainers came out of the dugout to tend to Liriano, who left the game with an illness. Jeff Manship came in from the bullpen and got out of the frame without further damage.
Detroit scored four times in the sixth to break the game open. Raburn and Cabrera hit back-to-back singles to get things started. Peralta followed with an RBI single. Wells then hit a two-run triple to left. Jose Mijares came in from the bullpen and Brennan Boesch hit a sacrifice fly to make it a 6-0 game.
The Tigers tacked on four more runs in the seventh. With men on first and second and two outs, Peralta smacked Alex Burnett's offering over the wall in left-center field. Wells made it back-to-back homers with a blast to left for a 10-0 lead.
Verlander stayed on to pitch the ninth in hopes of recording his first shutout of the season. With one out, Span reached first on Peralta's error. Jason Kubel singled two batters later to put men on first and second with two outs. Cuddyer's RBI base hit up the middle ruined Verlander's shutout bid. Delmon Young flied out to end the game.
Game Notes
The Twins lead the season series with the Tigers, 9-7...Verlander recorded the 10th complete game of his career...Minnesota was without catcher Joe Mauer (left knee), designated hitter Jim Thome (back), and shortstop J.J. Hardy (migraines). Shortstop Alexi Casilla left the game in the fourth inning due to illness...Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the bottom of the sixth inning...Verlander improved to 7-7 lifetime against Minnesota...Manship was charged with four runs on four hits over two innings.