Former Erie SeaWolves pitcher Justin Verlander recorded a complete-game, four-hit shutout for the Detroit Tigers, who beat the Oakland Athletics 6-0 in Thursday night’s fifth and final game of the teams’ American League Divisional Series at O.co Coliseum.

Verlander, who struck out 11 and walked one, led the Tigers into the American League Championship Series for the second straight season. They’ll play the winner of Friday’s best-of-five ALDS finale between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Other former SeaWolves who contributed to Detroit’s clinching win were second baseman Omar Infante, who reached base three times and scored twice, and outfielder Andy Dirks, who singled.

– Mike Copper