reate $33.5 million in cap space if Durant wants a new m

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). Custom Reggie Jackson Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Angels Jerseys China . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. http://www.customangelsjersey.com/custom-darin-erstad-jersey-large-108x.html . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. CJ Wilson Jersey Large . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Cheap Angels Jerseys . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. In a surprise turn, the NBA is pulling back on its salary-cap projection for the 2017-18 season, according to a league memo obtained by ESPN, and it could complicate the Golden State Warriors efforts to keep their new super team together.The league previously projected the 2017-18 cap to hit $107 million but lowered that number to $102 million Thursday and lowered the luxury-tax-line projection from $127 million to $122 million.This will affect teams planning for 2017 free agency -- specifically the Warriors. Kevin Durant is signing a contract Thursday that will allow him to re-enter the market as a free agent next summer. Because the Warriors will not have his full rights at that time, they will have to create $33.5 million in cap space if Durant wants a new max contract.Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala are also scheduled to be free agents next summer. The Warriors retain both players full rights, but it will be a challengee to re-sign them while also leaving room for Durant.ddddddddddddThat challenge was just projected to be $5 million more difficult.It is noteworthy that these projections are based on the current collective bargaining agreement. Both the NBA and the players union have an option to end the agreement by Dec. 15. If either side opts out, it would not affect the 2016-17 season. The sides have been in talks about a new agreement for months, and new terms could change all the projections.The players currently receive up to 51 percent of the basketball-related income, which this year topped $6.5 billion. There was a shortfall, and the owners returned a record $130 million to the players. In the memo sent Thursday, the NBA projected a shortfall next year of $200 million that would be sent to the players. ' ' '