Porcello Pitches 3-Hitter, Leads Tigers Over Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Rick Porcello pitched a three-hitter for his AL-leading third shutout, Victor Martinez hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 Wednesday night.
The Rays lost their fourth in a row.
Porcello (14-8) moved into a tie for the league lead in wins, retiring 20 straight batters after Ben Zobrist's double in the first.
Porcello walked none and struck out four in his first win since Aug. 2. He matched Miami's Henderson Alvarez for the major league lead in shutouts.
The Rays were shut out for the 15th time, most of any American League team.
Martinez hit his fourth career slam, connecting off Kirby Yates in the seventh inning, completing a five-run burst started by Rajai Davis' two-out double. It was the 24th homer of the season for Martinez.
Martinez drove in the Tigers' first run with a two-out double in the first after Miguel Cabrera's single. Cabrera also walked twice and scored two runs.
Wil Myers, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, went 0 for 3 as the designated hitter in his return to the Rays' lineup after missing 70 games because of a broken right wrist.
Rays starter Jake Odorizzi (9-10) gave up three runs while striking out seven in 6 2-3 innings. He had won five of his six preceding starts.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (sore right shoulder) could rejoin the rotation Saturday after missing one start.
UP NEXT
Former Rays ace David Price (12-8) will face his old team Thursday for the first time since being dealt to Detroit on July 31. Tampa Bay will counter with RHP Alex Cobb (8-6) in the finale of a three-game series.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
