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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers keep on winning and also added to the Tampa Bay Rays woes.He allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings, and the Tigers won their fifth consecutive game by beating the Rays 3-2 on Saturday.Verlander (8-6) struck out eight and walked one as he improved to 5-2 in eight starts at Tropicana Field. The right-hander was coming off a start Sunday in which he gave up eight runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-3 loss to Cleveland.We got beat by a really good pitcher that had really good stuff, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. He attacked. He definitely made it tough.Justin Wilson pitched the eighth before Francisco Rodriguez got the final three out to get his 23rd save.We made pitches when we needed to and we were able to come away with a win, Verlander said.The Tigers look to complete a four-game sweep Sunday against the reeling Rays, who lost for the 15th time in 17 games.Detroit (43-38),9-3 since June 20, is five-games over .500 for the first time since May 30, 2015.Were just going to keep going, keep going forward, no rear-view mirror, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.Tampa Bay rookie Blake Snell (1-3) gave up three runs, four hits, four walks and had four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in his fifth start.Weve still yet to see really best of Blake, Cash said. Hes giving us a chance to win, theres no doubt.After Ian Kinsler had a fifth-inning solo homer, Detroit took a 3-1 lead on Jarrod Saltalamacchia sacrifice fly in the sixth.Logan Morrison pulled the Rays within 3-2 with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth.Jose Iglesias put the Tigers ahead 1-0 on an RBI single in the second. Snell avoided further damage by getting a comeback from the hot-hitting Cameron Maybin with the bases loaded and two outs.Maybin, who entered on a seven-game hitting streak (14 for 28), was hitless in three at-bats.The Rays tied it at 1 in the fourth when Logan Forsythe singled, went to third on an errant pick-off throw by Verlander and scored on a sacrifice fly by Evan Longoria.Tampa Bays Steven Souza Jr. returned after missing 17 games due to a strained left hip and went 1 for 3. He was picked off first base by Verlander after a second-inning infield single.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera was rested. It was his first time out of the lineup since May 10.Rays: A decision on whether RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) will start a rehab assignment or have one additional simulated game is expected to be announced after his bullpen session Sunday. ... LHP Jonny Venters, attempting to comeback from three Tommy John surgeries, has been placed on the disabled list at Class A Charlotte with an UCL injury and is talking with doctors about the next step. . CF Kevin Kiermaier (fractured left hand) hit off a tee.FOCUS ON FULMERTigers rookie RHP Michael Fulmer became just one of six pitchers since 1913 Friday night to have eight straight starts with one or fewer runs allowed after throwing seven shutout innings in a 10- 2 win over the Rays. He joins Bob Gibson (11 in 1968), Josh Johnson (eight in 2010), Derek Lowe (eight in 2008-09), Johan Santana (eight in 2004) and J.R. Richard (eight in 1979).UP NEXTRays RHP Chris Archer (4-11), who leads the majors in losses, looks to end a four-start losing streak Sunday against Tigers RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-7).Carolina Hurricanes Gear . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Carolina Hurricanes Store . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Carolina Hurricanes Pro Shop . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. It remains the least favourite part of Jim Barkers job: Telling a player he doesnt fit into the teams plans. But it got even more difficult Saturday when the Toronto Argonauts general manager had to deliver the bad news to defensive tackle Kevin Huntley, a four-year CFL veteran who helped the squad capture the historic 100th Grey Cup title last season. "It was probably the hardest cut Ive had in three years here because I love Kevin," Barker said. "Its the worst part of the job and this is the most difficult day of the year because its always difficult to tell a guy this isnt going to be the place for him. "But there comes a point where you have to make difficult decisions and then you move forward and thats what weve done." Former Argos defensive lineman Ricky Foley, who signed with Saskatchewan in the off-season as a free agent, echoed Barkers sentiment. "I had cutdown day," Foley tweeted. "So many good relationships formed over the yrs and T.C...Blessings & Good Luck (at)all the players looking 4new teams .CFL." Toronto also released linebacker Bryan Payton, running back Gerald Riggs Jr. and receiver Reggie Williams as CFL teams had until 10 p.m. ET on Saturday to reduce their active rosters to 46 players. Clubs could carry up to nine players on the practice roster. The regular season kicks off Thursday night with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hosting the Montreal Alouettes at the new Investors Group Field. The Argos begin their title defence Friday night hosting their arch rivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The six-foot-eight, 305-pound Huntley was entering his fifth season with Toronto and had recorded 26 career sacks, but only had two last year. Still, the 31-year-olds departure was surprising given the Argos opened training camp minus defensive line regulars Ron Flemons (released), Armondo Armstead (New England Patriots, NFL), Ricky Foley (free agent, Saskatchewan) and Adriano Belli (retired). However, Barker veteran tackle Khalif Mitchell -- obtained this off-season from B.C. -- rookies Jonathan Williams and Cleyon Laing and newcomer Jermaine Reid (trade with Edmonton) all were impressive. "For two spots we had a lot of players that we liked so thats what it came down to," Barker said. "I still think he (Huntley) can play in this league.dddddddddddd "We felt like we had a couple of other guys that augmented what were trying to do better." Riggs, the son of former NFL star running back Gerald Riggs, was entering his second season with Toronto. But the Argos opted to go with Curtis Steele, a five-foot-11, 206-pound rookie from Memphis as the backup to incumbent Chad Kackert, last years Grey Cup MVP. "Curtis is a good, young player that well groom behind Chad," Barker said. "Gerald Riggs had a good pre-season as well, he did everything that was asked of him and was very good. "We just felt to go younger with Curtis, hes a different kind of back than Gerald and felt that was a better fit for us, and dont have the luxury of keeping three." Barker also said Toronto will start the season with defensive back Brent Vinson and receiver Romby Bryant on the injured list as both were hurt in Thursday nights 24-20 exhibition win over Montreal. Vinson will require surgery for a broken ankle and is expected to miss four months while Bryant is out indefinitely after suffering six broken ribs. Bryant, 33, signed with Toronto this off-season shortly after being granted his release by Calgary. Bryant spent three-plus seasons with the Stampeders, registering 211 catches for 3,028 yards and 22 touchdowns before adding two receptions for 31 yards in the clubs 35-22 loss to the Argos in the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre in November. Over five CFL seasons, the six-foot-one, 191-pound Bryant has 295 career receptions for 4,428 yards and 31 TDs. On a more pleasant note, Barker said all-star cornerback Pat Watkins passed his physical and should begin practising this week. Watkins missed all of training camp dealing with personal matters in Florida. Elsewhere, Winnipeg let 21 players go Saturday just two days after dropping a lopsided 52-0 exhibition decision to Hamilton. Included was quarterback Chase Clement, meaning Justin Glotz and newcomer Max Hall will back up veteran starter Buck Pierce. On Friday, the Montreal Alouettes released 11 players, including quarterback Quinton Porter, who spent his first five CFL seasons in Hamilton before being released and signing a three-year deal with the Als. ' ' '