J-Up, Tigers wake up in 6th, win 5th straight

DETROIT — Justin Upton’s go-ahead two-run homer punctuated a sixth-inning outburst in support of Justin Verlander, sending the Tigers to their fifth consecutive win with a 4-2 victory over the Angels on Friday night at Comerica Park.

The rally moved the Tigers within a game of the Orioles in the American League Wild Card standings. Detroit remains 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central.

“This is what you work for,” said Verlander (14-7), who allowed four hits over 7 2/3 innings. “This is what you work so hard in the offseason for, so you can be strong at the end of the season and continue to give your team a chance to win when it really counts.”

Albert Pujols’ first-inning solo homer was the game’s only offense for five innings despite eight baserunners in that span off Angels starter Ricky Nolasco. While Verlander settled in to retire 19 of 20 batters from the end of the first inning through the seventh, Detroit finally capitalized on Nolasco (4-12) with back-to-back doubles from Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez, followed by Upton’s 17th home run of the season and his fourth of the week.

Cameron Maybin’s seventh-inning solo homer provided an insurance run for Verlander, who won for the seventh time in eight decisions since July 2. Francisco Rodriguez entered with the potential tying run at the plate in the eighth and recorded his 36th save, his third of the four-out variety. His 422nd career save tied him with Billy Wagner for fifth on Major League Baseball’s all-time list.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDEarly jump: Pujols drove an 0-1 fastball to the bullpen in left-center field to put the Angels on the board early. That was his 585th career homer, pulling him within one of Frank Robinson for ninth all-time. He also became the seventh player in MLB history with 15 or more seasons with 25 or more home …

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