Verlander’s gem provides silver lining to tough series

SEATTLE — Yes, the Tigers were swept out of Seattle in three hard-fought games that encompassed a total of 33 innings.

Yes, the team has lost four in a row and is banged up, with Cameron Maybin’s addition to the disabled list the latest bummer to hit a lineup that has rarely been whole this season.

Yes, Detroit remains 3 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the American League Central standings and is now a game behind Boston for the second AL Wild Card spot.

And yes, Justin Verlander is as awesome as ever.

If there were any positives to take away from a tough 3-1 loss to the Mariners on Wednesday night, that was the major one.

Sure, Thursday’s off-day comes at a key time, with a tired bullpen and four hours on a plane to Texas to think about how to tackle another tough opponent in the AL West-leading Rangers. But with Verlander operating at the elite level that he continued to display in seven uneven but ultimately excellent innings at Safeco Field, Detroit will take its chances while getting healthier.

“He’s our guy,” Tigers catcher James McCann said of Verlander, who got a no-decision after allowing one run on seven hits and striking out six while walking two. “He’s the dude, and I think everyone expects that, fair or unfair. Again, he did it tonight. He found a way to get it done.”

Verlander, …

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