DETROIT -- Phil Hughes registered his fourth straight quality start with seven scoreless innings, and Kurt Suzuki came through with a clutch two-run single off Justin Verlander in the seventh to lead the Twins to a 2-1 win over the Tigers on Friday night at Comerica Park.It was a rare win for the Twins against Verlander -- who took his first loss against Minnesota since July 9, 2010. Verlander entered 9-0 with three no-decisions buoyed by a 2.09 ERA over his previous 12 starts against the Twins. 
Verlander was solid -- giving up just two runs on seven hits over seven innings -- but was outdueled by Hughes, who tossed seven scoreless frames to pick up his fourth straight victory. Hughes had a 7.20 ERA through his first three starts, but after four consecutive quality starts it now stands at 3.92.Hughes was helped by a key hit from Suzuki, who laced a two-run single back up the middle with two outs in the seventh against Verlander. Suzuki improved to .412 (7-for-17) with runners in scoring position and two outs this season, and has 24 RBIs to lead all Major League catchers.The Twins had failed to cash in against Verlander in earlier opportunities, including in the second, when Jason Kubel and Eduardo Nunez singled with one out. But Chris Parmelee, in his first at-bat of the season, popped out to shortstop before Aaron Hicks struck out looking in his first at-bat since being activated from the seven-day concussion list.Minnesota put two runners on again in the third after back-to-back singles from Brian Dozier and Suzuki, but Trevor Plouffe lined out to third on a nice play from Nick Castellanos before Chris Colabello grounded out to end the inning.The Tigers also had trouble with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-9. But Hughes was mostly in control, as he scattered eight hits -- seven singles -- without a walk.Hughes departed after seven innings despite throwing just 86 pitches, and was replaced by Casey Fien, who threw a perfect eighth inning in relief. Closer Glen Perkins picked up his ninth save despite giving up a run on a one-out double to Alex Avila in the ninth to preserve the victory for the Twins, who snapped a three-game losing streak.Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com
Verlander was solid -- giving up just two runs on seven hits over seven innings -- but was outdueled by Hughes, who tossed seven scoreless frames to pick up his fourth straight victory. Hughes had a 7.20 ERA through his first three starts, but after four consecutive quality starts it now stands at 3.92.Hughes was helped by a key hit from Suzuki, who laced a two-run single back up the middle with two outs in the seventh against Verlander. Suzuki improved to .412 (7-for-17) with runners in scoring position and two outs this season, and has 24 RBIs to lead all Major League catchers.The Twins had failed to cash in against Verlander in earlier opportunities, including in the second, when Jason Kubel and Eduardo Nunez singled with one out. But Chris Parmelee, in his first at-bat of the season, popped out to shortstop before Aaron Hicks struck out looking in his first at-bat since being activated from the seven-day concussion list.Minnesota put two runners on again in the third after back-to-back singles from Brian Dozier and Suzuki, but Trevor Plouffe lined out to third on a nice play from Nick Castellanos before Chris Colabello grounded out to end the inning.The Tigers also had trouble with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-9. But Hughes was mostly in control, as he scattered eight hits -- seven singles -- without a walk.Hughes departed after seven innings despite throwing just 86 pitches, and was replaced by Casey Fien, who threw a perfect eighth inning in relief. Closer Glen Perkins picked up his ninth save despite giving up a run on a one-out double to Alex Avila in the ninth to preserve the victory for the Twins, who snapped a three-game losing streak.Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com
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