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OAKLAND, CA (AP) -- Justin Verlander won his 12th straight start, pitching three-hit ball over eight innings to become the first pitcher in nine years to reach 24 wins and lead the AL Central champion Detroit Tigers over the Oakland Athletics 3-0 Sunday.

Verlander (24-5) struck out six and walked three, extending his scoreless streak to 17 innings.

He has a 2.28 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 87 innings over his streak, becoming the first pitcher to win a dozen starts in a row since Minnesota's Johan Santana in 2004, according to STATS LLC.

Verlander has the most wins in a major league season since Arizona's Randy Johnson in 2002.

With another victory, he would become the winningest pitcher in a season since Oakland's Bob Welch went 27-6 in 1990.

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