DETROIT – Justin Verlander had struck out only two hitters all night, but with the tying run suddenly on base after another Detroit miscue in the field, the right-hander let loose a bit.

“The mindset is: OK, turn the page,” Verlander said. “Pick up my teammate.”

Verlander struck out Allen Craig with the bases full to end the seventh inning, and the Tigers breezed from there to a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night. Detroit outfielder Quintin Berry dropped a flyball to keep the St. Louis rally going in the seventh, but that error ended up as a mere footnote in the Tigers’ eighth win in 11 games.

Verlander (7-4) allowed one earned run in seven innings. He allowed five hits and walked four, striking out only three.

“I was trying to be economical,” Verlander said. “My guys gave me a four-, five-run lead, I’m not trying to go out there and strike out anybody.”

Joaquin Benoit worked the eighth, and Phil Coke pitched a perfect ninth for his first save of the year. Detroit closer Jose Valverde felt pain in his right wrist while warming up and couldn’t pitch.

METS 5, ORIOLES 0: In New York, Johan Santana pitched six sharp innings, Lucas Duda hit a two-run homer, and New York got its second straight shutout of Baltimore.

Santana followed R.A. Dickey’s second one-hitter in a row with his best outing since he tossed a no-hitter on June 1. It was the second time this month that Santana and Dickey have thrown back-to-back shutouts.

RED SOX 7, MARLINS 5: In Boston, David Ortiz hit his 17th homer and Clay Buchholz won his fourth straight start.

Cody Ross, activated from the disabled list before the game, and Kelly Shoppach also homered.

BRAVES 4, YANKEES 3: In New York, Chipper Jones atoned for a costly error by cutting down the potential tying run at the plate and Atlanta held on to end New York’s 10-game winning streak.

The Yankees were trying to match their longest winning string in nearly a half-century. Instead, the Braves threw out two runners at home and won for only the second time in nine games.

RAYS 5, NATIONALS 4: In Washington, Carlos Pena hit a two-run homer and David Price bounced back from his worst start of the season to pitch seven strong innings, leading Tampa Bay.

Price (9-4) gave up four runs, struck out four and walked one.

PIRATES 7, TWINS 2: In Pittsburgh, Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including his 12th homer of the season, and Kevin Correia ended a lengthy winless streak at PNC Park.

ROYALS 2, ASTROS 0: In Houston, Luke Hochevar pitched into the eighth inning, two relievers completed the shutout, and Billy Butler hit a solo home run to lead Kansas City.

National

PHILLIES 7, ROCKIES 2: In Philadelphia, Cole Hamels threw eight sharp innings, John Mayberry Jr. and Carlos Ruiz hit two-run homers for Philadelphia.

The last-place Phillies earned just their fourth win in 16 games. The Rockies are 1-11 since June 4.