Justin Verlander took the mound Saturday to the warm embrace of a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 44,846 that wedged its way into every nook and cranny of Comerica Park.

They came to see Verlander put his name up there alongside some of the legendary names who’ve taken the mound, from Steve Carlton, to Mickey Lolich, to Bobo Newsom.

When Baltimore Orioles rookie outfielder Matt Angle drove the fourth pitch of the game deep into the right-field seats for his first major-league home run, it became evident that perhaps it wasn’t going to be Verlander’s night.

Two innings and another home run by Baltimore’s Mark Reynolds, and the score was 5-0 Orioles.

There would be no 25th win of the season for Verlander, something a Detroit Tigers pitcher hadn’t accomplished since Lolich in 1971.

There would be no 13th straight win for Verlander, something a Tigers pitcher hadn’t accomplished since Newsom in 1940.

While he would fan six to reach 250 strikeouts for the season, Verlander was unable to assemble the 25-win, 250-strikeout season last accomplished in the majors by Carlton in 1972.

In a sport obsessed with numbers, it’s also entirely possible that the end result – a no decision for Verlander in Detroit’s 6-5 loss to Baltimore – might also cost him a chance at being voted the American League’s most valuable player.

If that is indeed the case, it will be a dirty, rotten shame.

You can make a case for a number of players as this year’s AL MVP.

Start with former Tiger Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees and his league-leading totals of 119 RBI and 134 runs scored, along with his 41 homers. Boston fans will make a case for Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and his 114 runs, 201 hits and .319 batting average. Also under consideration will be Toronto slugger Jose Bautista and Texas all-purpose man Michael Young.

Do the math, though, and there’s no one who’s meant more to his team’s success than Verlander.

His 24-5 slate means he’s been directly responsible for 26 per cent of Detroit’s 91 wins. The Tigers own a .735 winning percentage (25-9) when Verlander takes the hill. They are just a .532 team (66-58) when someone else pitches.

“I feel like I’ve put it together pretty good this year, and the numbers are looking pretty good,” said Verlander, who refuses to enter the debate regarding his merit as MVP.

“I’ve done a pretty good job this year of not paying attention to that stuff. You go out there every fifth day when your number is called and do whatever you possibly can to win.”

Considering he hasn’t tasted defeat since July 15, you’d have to say he’s completed that mission with a high degree of efficiency.

Starting pitchers, who work once every fifth day, and have their personal MVP trophy in the Cy Young Award, tend to get the short shrift at MVP time, just as defencemen and goalies do in hockey.

Regardless, Verlander showed MVP calibre Saturday.

Though he didn’t possess his best stuff, he battled back from an atrocious start to pitch seven innings, allowing just one baserunner after the third.

“I think this was another step forward in his career,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Verlander will next start Friday in Detroit’s AL Divisional Series playoff opener, and here’s another offering as to why he should be voted MVP.

Saturday was the sixth time this season Verlander’s been touched for four or more runs.

Following each of the five previous outings, he allowed only one run (twice), or pitched a shutout (three times).

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

(Sports Network) – The Baltimore Orioles continue to end their season with a
flourish. Tonight they try to make it four straight wins when they resume a
four-game series with the American League Central champion Detroit Tigers at
Comerica Park.

After making life difficult for Tampa Bay, Anaheim and Boston, the Orioles
continued to play well against the playoff-bound Tigers in Thursday’s opener,
as Nolan Reimold’s RBI single in the sixth inning proved to be the difference
in a 6-5 win.

Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy homered in the victory, while Reimold added a
sacrifice fly in the fourth for the Orioles, who have won eight of their last
10.

Baltimore starter Zach Britton (11-10) gave up five runs on six hits over five
innings to pick up the win.

“A lot of teams will fold up after giving up a 5-0 lead, especially against a
club like this,” said Baltimore manager Buck Showalter. “But our guys showed
their toughness tonight.”

Delmon Young hit a three-run homer for the Tigers, who have lost two of three
and are tied with the Texas Rangers, five games back of the AL East-champion
New York Yankees for the best record in the American League.

Detroit starter Jacob Turner allowed five runs — four earned — on seven hits
over three-plus innings. David Pauley (5-6) gave up one run on two hits over
two relief frames to take the loss.

“We got some things we wanted to but we didn’t get the win,” said Detroit
manager Jim Leyland. “You know, we bounced back and played good, but you have
to give them the credit tonight.”

Getting the call for the O’s tonight will be righty Alfredo Simon, who is 4-9
with a 4.96 ERA. Simon lost his third straight decision on Sunday against the
Angels, as he allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings.

This will be his second start against the Tigers, who reached him for four
runs in a 4 2/3-inning no-decision back on August 12.

Detroit, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on righty Rick Porcello, who is 14-9
with a 4.79 ERA. Porcello lost for the first time in more than a month on
Saturday in Oakland, as he surrendered three runs and nine hits in seven
innings.

He is just 1-2 in three starts versus the O’s with a 4.76 ERA in three starts.

Baltimore has won four of its seven games with the Tigers this season.

The Sports Network

Mike Flanagan is gone but not forgotten by fans and the Baltimore Orioles organization. Starting with this evening’s game against the New York Yankees, uniformed members of the team will wear a black circular patch with the word, ‘Flanny’ in white. They will wear this patch for the remainder of the season to honor a man the will miss very much.

If you are at the game this evening, there will be a moment of silence prior to the start. His old number ’46′ uniform will hang from the visitor’s scoreboard for the length of tonight’s game. As is quite normal in this type of situation, the flag at Camden Yard will be flown at half-staff for the rest of the home games this season.

For those of you who cannot be there to honor Mke Flanagan, there is a virtual guestbook set up, according to the Baltimore Sun. Click here to leave your comments and read what others have written.

For whatever reason Mike Flanagan took his own life, the Orioles organization will honor him for the star pitcher that he was and as an important part of the organization. RIP Mike Flanagan.

Hellickson (12-10) has two complete games this season, both against the Orioles. The rookie right-hander also tossed a four-hitter in a 3-0 win against Baltimore on May 13 during which Guthrie also went the distance.

Guthrie (6-17) gave up seven runs — three earned — and seven hits Sunday. The right-hander struck out five and walked four.

“I didn’t have a good feel for the strike zone,” Guthrie said. “I wasn’t aggressive in the strike zone.”

Tampa Bay scored four times with two out in the third to take a 6-0 lead. Evan Longoria came home when third baseman Mark Reynolds misplayed Brandon Guyer’s grounder, and Reid Brignac followed with a three-run double.

Guthrie walked three during the third and after the inning ended appeared ready to throw a Gatorade bucket all around dugout.

“Just a lot of frustration,” Guthrie said. “I grabbed it and wanted to do a lot more things with it, but kind of dragged it and set it down. Figured I didn’t deserve a drink of Gatorade that inning.”

Guthrie became the first pitcher since Kip Wells (2005 and 2007) to lose at least 17 games twice during his career. The right-hander went 10-17 in 2009.

Adam Jones homered for the Orioles, who have lost six of eight.

Hellickson improved to 4-1 in five starts — six appearances overall — against Baltimore, including wins in all three outings at home where he has surrendered two earned runs in 25 combined innings.

“You know exactly what he’s going to do and try to do,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s got a great presentation on his change up and breaking ball. Throws everything out of the same slot. He’s grasped pitching instead of throwing at a young age. He’s got a lot of ability.”

Sean Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the second for Tampa Bay. Rodriguez’s two-out drive to left on a 1-2 pitch was his seventh homer of the season.

The Rays scored all of their runs in Saturday’s 6-3 win over Baltimore in two-out situations.

Matt Joyce drove in two runs for Tampa Bay, including a two-out solo homer in the sixth.

Jones led off the fifth with his 23rd homer. He had just three hits in his previous 37 at-bats.

Jones also doubled in the seventh, and Robert Andino and J.J. Hardy had the other hits for Baltimore. Andino’s third-inning infield hit was originally ruled an error on shortstop Brignac.

Tampa Bay designated hitter Johnny Damon tied Doc Cramer for 62nd place on the career hits list at 2,705 with a fourth-inning single.

NOTES: Jones tied his career high with 25 doubles this season. … Reynolds made two errors and has 26 on the year. … Tampa Bay CF B.J. Upton rested one day after getting five RBIs. “That was planned before (Saturday’s game),” manager Joe Maddon said. … Orioles RF Nick Markakis made his second career start at first base and had a couple nice fielding plays. … Rays INF Ben Zobrist (neck stiffness) could return to the starting lineup Monday. … Baltimore RHP Jason Berken (strained right forearm) may pitch in a simulated game Thursday. … Baltimore LHP Brian Matusz (1-7) and New York RHP Freddy Garcia (11-7) are Monday’s scheduled starters at Yankee Stadium.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jeremy Guthrie struggled with his command, and that was all Jeremy Hellickson needed to record another victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Guthrie pitched five shaky innings in his major league-leading 17th loss and Hellickson threw a four-hitter in the Tampa Bay Rays’ 8-1 victory Sunday.

Hellickson (12-10) has two complete games this season, both against the Orioles. The rookie right-hander also tossed a four-hitter in a 3-0 win against Baltimore on May 13 during which Guthrie also went the distance.

Guthrie (6-17) gave up seven runs — three earned — and seven hits Sunday. The right-hander struck out five and walked four.

“I didn’t have a good feel for the strike zone,” Guthrie said. “I wasn’t aggressive in the strike zone.”

Tampa Bay scored four times with two out in the third to take a 6-0 lead. Evan Longoria came home when third baseman Mark Reynolds misplayed Brandon Guyer’s grounder, and Reid Brignac followed with a three-run double.

Guthrie walked three during the third and after the inning ended appeared ready to throw a Gatorade bucket all around dugout.

“Just a lot of frustration,” Guthrie said. “I grabbed it and wanted to do a lot more things with it, but kind of dragged it and set it down. Figured I didn’t deserve a drink of Gatorade that inning.”

Guthrie became the first pitcher since Kip Wells (2005 and 2007) to lose at least 17 games twice during his career. The right-hander went 10-17 in 2009.

Adam Jones homered for the Orioles, who have lost six of eight.

Hellickson improved to 4-1 in five starts — six appearances overall — against Baltimore, including wins in all three outings at home where he has surrendered two earned runs in 25 combined innings.

“You know exactly what he’s going to do and try to do,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s got a great presentation on his change up and breaking ball. Throws everything out of the same slot. He’s grasped pitching instead of throwing at a young age. He’s got a lot of ability.”

Sean Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the second for Tampa Bay. Rodriguez’s two-out drive to left on a 1-2 pitch was his seventh homer of the season.

The Rays scored all of their runs in Saturday’s 6-3 win over Baltimore in two-out situations.

Matt Joyce drove in two runs for Tampa Bay, including a two-out solo homer in the sixth.

Jones led off the fifth with his 23rd homer. He had just three hits in his previous 37 at-bats.

Jones also doubled in the seventh, and Robert Andino and J.J. Hardy had the other hits for Baltimore. Andino’s third-inning infield hit was originally ruled an error on shortstop Brignac.

Tampa Bay designated hitter Johnny Damon tied Doc Cramer for 62nd place on the career hits list at 2,705 with a fourth-inning single.

NOTES: Jones tied his career high with 25 doubles this season. … Reynolds made two errors and has 26 on the year. … Tampa Bay CF B.J. Upton rested one day after getting five RBIs. “That was planned before (Saturday’s game),” manager Joe Maddon said. … Orioles RF Nick Markakis made his second career start at first base and had a couple nice fielding plays. … Rays INF Ben Zobrist (neck stiffness) could return to the starting lineup Monday. … Baltimore RHP Jason Berken (strained right forearm) may pitch in a simulated game Thursday. … Baltimore LHP Brian Matusz (1-7) and New York RHP Freddy Garcia (11-7) are Monday’s scheduled starters at Yankee Stadium.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Jeremy Hellickson(notes) needed just 97 pitches to
finish off his latest strong outing.

Hellickson threw a four-hitter, Reid Brignac(notes) had three RBIs and the Tampa
Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-1 on Sunday.

“He had a sneaky fastball that set everything else up,” Rays manager Joe
Maddon said. “When he wanted to throw the ball somewhere, it was going there.”

Hellickson (12-10) has two complete games this season, both against the
Orioles. The rookie right-hander also tossed a four-hitter in a 3-0 win against
Baltimore on May 13.

“I felt good in command of all my pitches,” Hellickson said. “Even the
curveball felt good. I was throwing that for a strike once in a while, and I was
keeping the ball down.”

Tampa Bay scored four times with two out in the third to take a 6-0 lead.
Evan Longoria(notes) came home when third baseman Mark Reynolds(notes) misplayed Brandon
Guyer’s(notes) grounder, and Brignac followed with a three-run double.

“I haven’t had too many opportunities of late to drive in some runs,”
Brignac said. “The way Jeremy was throwing, all we needed was a few runs to get
through the game.”

Brignac had driven in two runs in previous 41 home games this year.

Adam Jones(notes) homered for the Orioles. Jeremy Guthrie(notes) gave up seven runs—
three earned—and seven hits over five innings en route to his major
league-leading 17th loss.

Guthrie (6-17) walked three batters to help set up the Rays’ big third.
After the inning ended, he appeared ready to throw a Gatorade bucket all around
the dugout.

“Just a lot of frustration,” he said. “I grabbed it and wanted to do a
lot more things with it, but kind of dragged it and set it down. I figured I
didn’t deserve a drink of Gatorade that inning.”

Guthrie is the first pitcher since Kip Wells(notes) (2005 and 2007) to lose at
least 17 games twice during his career. The right-hander went 10-17 in 2009.

Hellickson improved to 4-1 in five starts—six appearances overall—
against Baltimore, including wins in all three outings at home where he has
surrendered two earned runs in 25 combined innings.

“It’s kind of frustrating … You know exactly what he’s going to do and
try to do,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s got a great
presentation on the changeup and breaking ball. Throws everything out of the
same slot. He’s grasped pitching instead of throwing at a young age.”

Sean Rodriguez(notes) hit a two-run homer in the second for Tampa Bay. Rodriguez’s
two-out drive to left on a 1-2 pitch was his seventh homer of the season.

The Rays scored all of their runs in Saturday’s 6-3 win over Baltimore in
two-out situations.

Matt Joyce(notes) drove in two runs for Tampa Bay, including a two-out solo homer
in the sixth.

Jones led off the fifth with his 23rd homer. He had just three hits in his
previous 37 at-bats.

Jones also doubled in the seventh, and Robert Andino(notes) and J.J. Hardy(notes) had the
other hits for Baltimore. Andino’s third-inning infield hit was originally ruled
an error on shortstop Brignac.

Tampa Bay designated hitter Johnny Damon(notes) tied Doc Cramer for 62nd place on
the career hits list at 2,705 with a fourth-inning single.

NOTES: Tampa Bay CF B.J. Upton(notes) rested one day after getting five RBIs.
“That was planned before (Saturday’s game),” Maddon said. … Orioles RF Nick
Markakis(notes) made his second career start at first base and had a couple nice
fielding plays. … Rays INF Ben Zobrist(notes) (neck stiffness) could return to the
starting lineup Monday. … Baltimore RHP Jason Berken(notes) (strained right forearm)
may pitch in a simulated game Thursday. … Rays RHP James Shields(notes) (13-10), who
tops the majors with 10 complete games this season, will pitch against Texas RHP
Scott Feldman(notes) (1-0) on Monday. … Baltimore LHP Brian Matusz(notes) (1-7) and New York
RHP Freddy Garcia(notes) (11-7) are Monday’s scheduled starters at Yankee Stadium.