Rangers Shut Out In Detroit

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DETROIT — Justin Verlander came within seven outs of his third career no-hitter, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 5-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday at Comerica Park.

Mitch Moreland’s two-out double into the right-center field gap spoiled Verlander’s bid to become the only active pitcher with three no-hitters.

Verlander (10-6) was removed after the seventh inning because of a tight, right quad muscle. He had three walks and three strikeouts while throwing 105 pitches.

Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit completed the two-hit shutout.

Verlander tossed no-hitters against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007, and the Toronto Blue Jays on May 7, 2011. Toronto’s Mark Buehrle, Philadelphia Phillies’ Roy Halladay and Cincinnati Reds’ Homer Bailey are the only other active pitchers with two no-hitters.

Verlander gave up a season-high 12 hits and five runs in his previous start against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. He issued walks to Leonys Martin in the first, Moreland in the fifth and Geovany Soto in the sixth but none reached scoring position.

Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta hit solo home runs for the Tigers, who entered the All-Star break atop the American League Central Division. Martin Perez (3-2) took the loss for the Rangers, who remained in second place behind the Oakland A’s in the A.L. West.

Hunter’s seventh homer of the season put the Tigers on top in the first. Martinez and Peralta hit back-to-back shots, giving them eight apiece, with two out in the fourth.

Peralta and Matt Tuiasosopo added RBI singles in the sixth to make it 5-0.