Verlander, Rhymes lead Tigers to sweep of Indians

By AP

DETROIT – Justin Verlander pitched eight strong innings, rookie Will Rhymes had four hits and the Detroit Tigers completed a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians with an 8-1 win Sunday.

The Tigers outscored Cleveland 19-3 in the lopsided weekend series, and have had two three-game winning streaks and a three-game losing streak in their last nine games.

The Indians finished a six-game road trip to Kansas City and Detroit with just one win and are a season-worst 24 games under .500 (50-74).

Verlander (14-8), who has struggled with high pitch counts early in games this season, didn't throw his 100th pitch Sunday until the eighth inning. He gave up a run in the first before shutting the Indians down for the rest of the game.