Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 18, 2012 in Detroit. / Leon Halip / Getty Images
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Justin Verlander continued his interleague dominance with eight strong innings, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-3, to win a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
Verlander (6-4) picked up his 17th win in 23 career interleague starts after allowing two runs on Thursday. He struck out eight batters and lowered his career interleague ERA to 2.73 in his first win since May 18.
The reigning AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner had gone four starts without a win, his longest such stretch since 2009.
Austin Jackson homered and knocked in the winning run in a three-hit game for Detroit, which has won five of seven. Jose Valverde received his 13th save despite yielding a run in the ninth.
Darwin Barney had a pair of hits and knocked in a run for the Cubs, who continue to sit in the National League's basement after their June record dropped to 3-10.
Travis Wood (0-3) is still winless in a Cubs uniform after allowing three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.
The Sports Network