Jose Iglesias hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, Justin Verlander pitched six solid innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Red Sox 4-2 on Monday night at Fenway Park in Boston to spoil Drew Pomeranz’s second start with Boston.
Victor Martinez and James McCann also drove in runs for the Tigers. Detroit pulled within 5 1/2 games of idle AL Central-leading Cleveland.
Verlander (10-6) allowed one run and five hits and struck out five to pick up the victory. He is 3-0 in his last five starts.
Francisco Rodriguez earned his 28th save.
Pomeranz (8-8), recently acquired from the San Diego Padres, gave up four hits and struck out seven in six innings. Both of the runs he allowed came via Iglesias’ homer.
A-Rod still riding pine
Alex Rodriguez was out of the lineup for a third straight game Monday night at the Houston Astros as he remains mired in a slump.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel has been tough on Rodriguez, but the decision was more to keep Carlos Beltran in the lineup. Beltran has hit .305 this season with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs entering Monday.
Rodriguez came into Monday 4 for 31 with one home run in July and batting .206 this season with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. He’s been a regular in the lineup against left-handers and had played more against righties since the All-Star break. He started seven times during New York’s recent 10-game homestand and hit his 696th career homer in a 2-1 win over Baltimore on July 18.
“He wants to be in there,” Girardi said. “I get that. I don’t want a player who’s content not being in there. His time’s going to come. He’s going to get more chances.”