Verlander back on track as Detroit beats Seattle

DETROIT (Reuters) - Detroit's All-Star pitcher Justin Verlander recorded his first win in almost a month on Tuesday, leading the Tigers to a 12-8 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The struggling Tigers were expected to challenge for the American League title this season after bolstering their payroll to $139 million, but they lost their first seven games and came into Tuesday's contest with the fewest wins in the AL

(17).

Manager Jim Leyland, who called a pre-game meeting to discuss the situation, said winning was the best cure for their problems.

"The main point of the talk today with the team was, it's accountability with all of us," Leyland told reporters.

"It's not talking about silly stuff like clubhouse atmosphere. Out there tonight, the clubhouse looks pretty good to me. It's all about winning."

Verlander, who had a 35-15 record in his first two seasons, entered the game 1-7 with an earned run average (ERA) of 6.05.

But the 2006 Rookie of the Year and 2007 All Star struck out a season-high seven over six innings on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits with a walk.

"The win was nice, I'd say we needed it," Verlander said.

"I thought it was a good start on my part and hopefully this will help us get things turned around."

The Tigers piled up an 11-1 lead over six innings. Edgar Renteria homered, had four hits and tied a career-high with five runs batter in (RBI). Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen also homered for Detroit.

Seattle came alive in the last three innings, scoring seven runs.

"You've got to start having some offence before the seventh inning," Seattle manager John McLaren said.

Carlos Silva (3-3) took the loss for the Mariners, allowing seven runs on nine hits over four innings.

(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by Peter Rutherford)