Verlander puts end to Tigers’ slump

The Detroit Tigers had lost two games in a row, and Justin Verlander considered it his job to keep the streak from reaching three.

“Absolutely. We lost our last two games, and I really just wanted to go out there and make a statement,” he said Tuesday night after leading the Tigers to a 7-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. “Everybody on this team can play that role. I just happened to be the guy today.”

Verlander (4-1) gave up two runs and six hits over 7 2/3 innings, striking out seven before leaving the game when Kevin Youkilis hit a home run in the eighth. Verlander, the reigning American League rookie of the year, has given up four earned runs in four road starts this season.

“We needed something like that, and he gave it to us,” Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said. “They’re one of the best teams in baseball, but hopefully they’re feeling the same way about us.”

Brandon Inge and Magglio Ordonez homered to cool off Tim Wakefield (4-4). Wakefield was leading the AL in opponents’ batting average, second in the league in ERA and hadn’t given up a run in his two previous starts. But the Red Sox failed to give him any support, again: They have scored only 10 runs in his last 15 losses while he was in the game.