Verlander (20-5) gave up four runs and eight hits with six strikeouts and three walks to become the first pitcher to win 20 games before the end of August since Arizona’s Curt Schilling in 2002.
Luke Hughes had a home run, double and three RBIs for Minnesota and Jason Repko hit his first homer of the season.
Former Twin Delmon Young’s RBI single in the seventh gave the Tigers the lead for good and put Verlander in position for the win.
The six innings tied a season low for Verlander, a 20-game winner for the first time — and the first time by a Tiger since Bill Gullickson in 1991.
In Boston, David Ortiz hit a two-run homer and four Boston pitchers combined on a three-hitter to complete a sweep of a rain-delayed day-night doubleheader.
In the opener, Jason Varitek hit a two-run homer and Jon Lester allowed three hits in six innings. That game was delayed twice — 45 minutes after the sixth inning and 2 hours, 15 minutes after the seventh.
There was a one-hour delay in the top of the fifth in the nightcap. The first game had been moved up to noon from 1:10 p.m. to make room for the second game that was rescheduled from Sunday to avoid Hurricane Irene’s effects.
Erik Bedard allowed two singles in four innings in Game 2 before being replaced by Alfredo Aceves (9-1) when play resumed. He pitched three hitless innings. Daniel Bard allowed a single in the eighth before Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth.
The Red Sox, 8-3 in their last 11 games, increased their AL East lead to two games over New York.
At night, the Red Sox took a 2-0 lead in the second against Graham Godfrey (1-2) when Ortiz hit his 27th homer.
In Arlington, Texas, Vernon Wells hit the first of the Angels’ five solo home runs and had an RBI triple to back up Ervin Santana pitching on short rest.
Mike Trout and Bobby Wilson, the last two hitters in the lineup, both went deep in the fourth off C.J. Wilson (13-6), who gave up a career-worst four homers. Peter Bourjos also homered off the Texas starter.
Santana (10-9) pitched with only three days’ rest for the first time in his career, and gave up four runs and four hits over seven innings.
In Toronto, B.J. Upton barely missed a home run in the sixth inning, then hit a three-run shot in the seventh for Tampa Bay.
Upton’s 18th homer put the Rays ahead 6-2, and Tampa Bay held on despite two late home runs by Toronto.
Upton led off the sixth with a long drive to left that landed just a few feet foul. Upton reached when Shawn Camp (1-3) hit him with the next pitch on the leg.
There was no doubt about Upton’s drive off Jesse Litsch the next inning. It landed in the second deck in left scored Sam Fuld and Evan Longoria after both walked.
In Cleveland, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift Cleveland to the comeback win.
Cabrera homered off Louis Coleman (1-4) to give the Indians their 21st last-at-bat win and 32nd comeback triumph overall.
Joe Smith (3-3) got the final out in the eighth for the win and Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his 29th save.
Jim Thome celebrated his 41st birthday with a solo homer in the sixth — his 602nd — in his second game back in Cleveland to tie it at 4.
In Seattle, John Danks threw a three-hitter and struck out 10 for Chicago.
It was Danks’ third straight start of six-plus innings while allowing two or fewer runs. It was his second complete game of the year and second career shutout. His 10 strikeouts matched a career high.
Danks (6-9) retired 16 of the first 17 batters.
Paul Konerko had an RBI single and Alexei Ramirez had a sacrifice fly to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead in the fourth. De Aza added a solo home run in the eighth.
