Magic number is four
CHICAGO (AP) -- Justin Verlander pitched seven strong innings to earn his major league best 23rd win, and the Detroit Tigers blanked the Chicago White Sox 5-0 on Tuesday night for their 11th consecutive victory.
Verlander (23-5) allowed six hits, struck out six and walked two while becoming the first Tiger since Hal Newhouser in 1946 to win 11 consecutive starts and the AL's first 23-game winner since Barry Zito in 2002.
Victor Martinez hit a three-run homer for AL Central-leading Detroit, buoyed by its longest winning streak since September 1968.
White Sox starter Gavin Floyd (12-11) gave up four runs and four hits in 5 1-3 innings, falling to 6-2 lifetime against Detroit.
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