Verlander leads Tigers past Cubs

Justin Verlander was running in the outfield yesterday when he heard a round of cheers from the sizable contingent of Detroit Tigers fans that packed Wrigley Field for the series finale against the Chicago Cubs.

"I got chills," Verlander said.

He returned the favor during a 5-3 victory, pitching eight solid innings and helping himself with a pair of sacrifices as Detroit capped a 4-2 interleague road trip through Cincinnati and Chicago.

Austin Jackson hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh and a two-run homer in the ninth to help the Tigers to their fourth victory in five games.

Verlander and a picturesque day in Chicago led to a season-high crowd of 42,292 that ran the total for the series to 124,782, setting a Wrigley Field record for a midweek three-game set. Verlander (6-4) struck out eight and walked none in his first victory since he flirted with a no-hitter while allowing just one hit in a 6-0 victory against Pittsburgh on May 18.

Orioles 12, Pirates 6: Steve Pearce homered and drove in a career-high five runs as host Baltimore completed a three-game sweep. Baltimore moved 11 games over .500 (37-26) and within a half-game of the first-place Yankees in the AL East.

Phillies 6, Twins 1: Joe Blanton pitched his second complete game of the season and Jim Thome homered for the second day in a row for visiting Philadelphia.

Reds 12, Indians 5: Brandon Phillips homered and drove in four runs, leading visiting Cincinnati to its first three-game sweep of Cleveland since 2008.

Cardinals 5, White Sox 3: David Freese homered, doubled and drove in three runs for host St. Louis. Adam Dunn tied Texas' Josh Hamilton for the major league home run lead with his 22nd.

Royals 4, Brewers 3: Brayan Pena drove in the tying run in the ninth and Jarrod Dyson scored the winning run on a misguided cutoff throw across the infield, giving host Kansas City the victory.

Diamondbacks 11, Rangers 3: Jason Kubel and Gerardo Parra homered to back Daniel Hudson's seven solid innings for visiting Arizona.

Astros 6, Giants 3: J.D. Martinez's first career grand slam helped visiting Houston avoid a three-game sweep. -- AP