NEWS » INCINNATI -- Edmond Sumner scor

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers keep on winning and also added to the Tampa Bay Rays woes.He allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings, and the Tigers won their fifth consecutive game by beating the Rays 3-2 on Saturday.Verlander (8-6) struck out eight and walked one as he improved to 5-2 in eight starts at Tropicana Field. The right-hander was coming off a start Sunday in which he gave up eight runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-3 loss to Cleveland.We got beat by a really good pitcher that had really good stuff, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. He attacked. He definitely made it tough.Justin Wilson pitched the eighth before Francisco Rodriguez got the final three out to get his 23rd save.We made pitches when we needed to and we were able to come away with a win, Verlander said.The Tigers look to complete a four-game sweep Sunday against the reeling Rays, who lost for the 15th time in 17 games.Detroit (43-38),9-3 since June 20, is five-games over .500 for the first time since May 30, 2015.Were just going to keep going, keep going forward, no rear-view mirror, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.Tampa Bay rookie Blake Snell (1-3) gave up three runs, four hits, four walks and had four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in his fifth start.Weve still yet to see really best of Blake, Cash said. Hes giving us a chance to win, theres no doubt.After Ian Kinsler had a fifth-inning solo homer, Detroit took a 3-1 lead on Jarrod Saltalamacchia sacrifice fly in the sixth.Logan Morrison pulled the Rays within 3-2 with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth.Jose Iglesias put the Tigers ahead 1-0 on an RBI single in the second. Snell avoided further damage by getting a comeback from the hot-hitting Cameron Maybin with the bases loaded and two outs.Maybin, who entered on a seven-game hitting streak (14 for 28), was hitless in three at-bats.The Rays tied it at 1 in the fourth when Logan Forsythe singled, went to third on an errant pick-off throw by Verlander and scored on a sacrifice fly by Evan Longoria.Tampa Bays Steven Souza Jr. returned after missing 17 games due to a strained left hip and went 1 for 3. He was picked off first base by Verlander after a second-inning infield single.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera was rested. It was his first time out of the lineup since May 10.Rays: A decision on whether RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) will start a rehab assignment or have one additional simulated game is expected to be announced after his bullpen session Sunday. ... LHP Jonny Venters, attempting to comeback from three Tommy John surgeries, has been placed on the disabled list at Class A Charlotte with an UCL injury and is talking with doctors about the next step. . CF Kevin Kiermaier (fractured left hand) hit off a tee.FOCUS ON FULMERTigers rookie RHP Michael Fulmer became just one of six pitchers since 1913 Friday night to have eight straight starts with one or fewer runs allowed after throwing seven shutout innings in a 10- 2 win over the Rays. He joins Bob Gibson (11 in 1968), Josh Johnson (eight in 2010), Derek Lowe (eight in 2008-09), Johan Santana (eight in 2004) and J.R. Richard (eight in 1979).UP NEXTRays RHP Chris Archer (4-11), who leads the majors in losses, looks to end a four-start losing streak Sunday against Tigers RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-7).Rob Ramage Jersey . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Cheap Avalanche Jerseys . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. http://www.cheapavalanchechinajerseys.com/erik-johnson-jersey/ . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Semyon Varlamov Jersey . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Nikita Zadorov Jersey . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record.TEMPE, Ariz. -- Marcus Foster scored 29 points, Justin Patton added 18 and No. 9 Creighton hit 14 3-pointers to remain undefeated with a 96-85 victory over Arizona State on Tuesday night.The nations top 3-point shooting team, Creighton (12-0) overcame a slow start with a barrage of 3s.The Bluejays went 14 for 25 from beyond the arc, with six players hitting at least one. Toby Heigner and Isaiah Zierden led the 3-point attack, combining to make 8 of 11 while scoring 12 points each.Arizona State (6-6) held its own in the first half against the highest-ranked non-conference team to play in Tempe since No. 7 Ohio State in 1980. The Sun Devils had too many breakdowns defensively on the perimeter, though, particularly during the second half as Creighton pulled away.Torian Graham and Tra Holder had 24 points each for Arizona State. Obi Oleka added 19 points and 16 rebounds---No. 11 WEST VIRGINIA 84, RADFORD 57MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Esa Ahmad led three West Virginia players in double figures with 17 points.The game was closely contested during the first 10 minutes as Radford (4-7) pulled within five points midway through the first half. Jevon Carter then lead the Mountaineers (10-1) on a 30-4 run to go into the locker room with a 53-22 lead.West Virginia was able to sccore 41 points off 29 Radford turnovers, which is the most the Highlanders have committed all season.ddddddddddddCarter had 15 points and Tarik Phillip added 13.Justin Cousin led the Highlanders with 12 points.---No. 17 XAVIER 85, EASTERN WASHINGTON 56CINCINNATI -- Edmond Sumner scored 12 of his 14 points while Xavier took control in the first half for its third straight win.After a sluggish start, the Musketeers (10-2) took control with a 35-8 run. Trevon Bluiett added 16 points, and Xavier had five players score in double figures. Sumner finished with nine assists and no turnovers.Jacob Wiley had 16 points for Eastern Washington (8-4), which trailed by as many as 29 points.---No. 18 ARIZONA 77, NEW MEXICO 46TUCSON, Ariz. -- Chance Comanche scored a career-high 14 points and Arizona had five players reach double figures.Freshman Rawle Alkins scored 13 points and grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds as Arizona dominated the boards 49-30. Lauri Markkanen also scored 13 points for the Wildcats (11-2) in their final tuneup before beginning Pac-12 play next week.Elijah Brown scored 17 points and Tim Williams added 14 for the Lobos (7-5). ' ' '