Verlander pitches well, Avila and Hunter hit homers, Tigers rout Nationals 11-1.

Justin Verlander got off to a shaky start, but regained his composure and pitched six strong innings for the Tigers. Verlander surrendered just one run on four hits, while striking out six batters. Alex Avila and Torii Hunter both hit homers in a five-run second inning and Detroit put up five more runs in the fourth, and one more in the seventh inning for an 11-1 shellacking. National's starter Gio Gonzalez lasted only 3 1/3 innings giving up 10 of those runs on 11 hits before hitting the showers. Detroit now stands at (61-45) 16 games over .500 and three games in front of Cleveland in the AL Central. The Tigers hope to continue their winning ways on Thursday night when the Chicago White Sox come to town. Detroit will send Doug Fister (9-5, 3.67) to the mound to face Hector Santiago (3-6, 3.33) for a 7:08 start.