The Colorado Rockies were unable to complete the sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon. They ran into the buzz saw that is Justin Verlander, who led the Tigers to a 9-1 victory.
It was a brilliant performance by the Tigers ace. He threw a complete game and allowed one run on four hits. He struck out five. If one wants to see something wrong with his game on Sunday, point to his three strikeouts (but he's a pitcher, after all). Ty Wigginton's seventh homer of the season was Verlander's only mistake in the game.
Troy Tulowitzki picked up two hits and Charlie Blackmon had the other one of the remaining three.
Aaron Cook gave up four runs on eight hits in six innings. Two runs scored on two singles, one came on a sac fly and the other came on a Don Kelly triple. The Tigers picked things back up in the seventh inning with Rex Brothers on the mound, thanks in large part on a bobble by Seth Smith. With Don Kelly on first base, Brennan Boesch singled to right field, but Smith let the ball go through his legs. Kelly scored and Boesch wound up on third. Boesch came around to score on a passed ball by catcher Matt Pagnozzi.
Brothers left the game after missed catch and a bit of blood on his non-throwing arm. Clayton Mortensen came in and allowed an Alex Avila RBI single. He allowed two more runs in the top of the ninth when he gave up back-to-back solo homers to Boesch and Miguel Cabrera.
The Rockies (35-36, 19-19 home) visit the Cleveland Indians for a three-game set to start the week.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. For more Tigers coverage, visit Bless You Boys and SB Nation Detroit.