Major League Baseball

Verlander's gem helps Tigers down White Sox

Published Jul. 24, 2009 10:40 p.m. ET

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Justin Verlander had several reasons to finish the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.

Pride was the biggest one.

The Tigers ace got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the ninth inning to finish off Detroit's 5-1 win and the sixth complete game of his career.

"That felt good, especially because Skip (manager Jim Leyland) had the confidence to let me finish it," he said. "After they loaded the bases, I was looking into the dugout and I really didn't want to see him coming for me."

Verlander had allowed three hits through eight innings, but the first three batters of the ninth all lined clean singles. Gordon Beckham grounded into a 1-2-3 double play, and Verlander retired DeWayne Wise to end the game.

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