Tigers’ Guillen Hits for Cycle in 10-4 Win

Carlos Guillen had a special game at the plate and Justin Verlander added to his impressive rookie season on the mound. They combined to help the Detroit Tigers match last season’s victory total.

Guillen hit for the cycle and Verlander (14-4) won his seventh consecutive decision to become the major leagues’ first 14-game winner, leading the Tigers over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 10-4, on Tuesday night.

Guillen is the 10th Detroit player, and third since 1951, to complete the cycle. He had an run-scoring triple in the second, a solo homer in the third, a single in the sixth and a double in the eighth.

“That was awesome,” Detroit first baseman Sean Casey said. “I felt like a fan. If he didn’t go for second [in the eighth], I was going to go out and tackle him.”

Guillen hit his double to right center and slid safely into second, beating a throw.

“Inside I felt pretty good,” Guillen said. “I was looking for the double. As soon as I hit the ball, I tried to run hard. If I don’t run hard my first at-bat, I don’t get the triple. If I don’t run hard my last at-bat, I don’t get the double.”

The Tigers, who went 71-91 last season, are 71-35, a 109-win pace.