After Verlander had a nine-pitch, 1-2-3 8th inning, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon worked his way out of a one-out bases loaded jam in the top of the 9th inning to keep the score even at three.
Alex Avila led the 9th off with a rocket up the middle, but it struck Papelbon along the way and was knocked down, allowing Papelbon to get to it and throw to first to get the leading lady of the inning.
The Tigers then managed to load the bases on a pair of singles from Brandon Inge and Austin Jackson, followed by a base on balls to Scott Sizemore with just one out. However, Papelbon bared down and made Brennan Boesch look silly on three pitches, K’ing him, setting up an epic May 19 bases loaded, 2-out showdown with Miguel Cabrera. Papelbon won the battle with Cabrera, unfortunately, striking him out on a 2-2 pitch to end the inning.
Al Alburquerque will replace Verlander in the bottom of the 9th inning.