MLB: Detroit 8, Seattle 4

SEATTLE, July 4 (UPI) -- Matt Joyce and Gary Sheffield had RBI singles during a three-run fifth Thursday that broke open a tie game and vaulted Detroit to an 8-4 victory over Seattle.

The Tigers halted a two-game skid, but have won seven of their last nine.

Detroit twice overcame a one-run deficit before taking command in the fifth against Carlos Silva (4-10).

Curtis Granderson opened the inning with a triple and, one out later, scored on a fielder's choice grounder by Carlos Guillen. After Guillen advanced to second on a single by Miguel Cabrera Joyce and Sheffield delivered their run-scoring base hits to make it 5-2.

Michael Hollimon tacked on a solo homer in the sixth and Ivan Rodriguez drove in his second and third runs of the game with a single in the ninth.

Silva was unable to follow up on his previous outing, which turned out to be his first win in more than two months.

Justin Verlander (5-9) got the victory, allowing two runs on eight hits over six innings. Verlander struggled early in the season, but now has a five-start unbeaten streak.

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