The Tigers shelled baseball's winningest pitcher last night, earning 7 runs off Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia in only 4 innings. Justin Verlander was dominant for Detroit, fanning seven on their way to a 12-3 rout and his 10th win of the season. Homers from Gary Sheffield, Placido Polanco, and Carlos Guillen helped hand the Indians their worst loss of the season.
Both Sabatha and Verlander are potential starters for the upcoming All-Star Game, though AL manager Jim Leyland has not commented on his choice. Sheffield's longball in the fourth was the 475th of his career, lifting him to 27th all-time, alongside Stan Musial and Willie Stargell. Detroit's win leaves them a game behind the division-best Indians. (More C.C. Sabathia stories.)