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DETROIT -- Justin Verlander knows he isnt going to make a sixth straight All-Star team. Vapormax Sale . A few more performances like the one Wednesday might mean hes heading in the right direction, however. Verlander overcame a pair of long home runs in the first inning and left with a comfortable lead after the sixth as the Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics 9-3 for a three-game sweep. Verlander (7-7) started the day looking like the pitcher who has been searching for his mechanics for most of the season. Coco Crisp began the game with a shot over the access tunnel down the right-field line, and Brandon Moss went even deeper into the right-field stands with two out. That, though, was the last time the As scored off the pitcher who has dominated them in each of the last two postseasons. Verlander wasnt sharp, allowing nine hits, but he didnt walk a batter. "I didnt make a big adjustment, I just got more into my rhythm," he said. "My changeup wasnt good, but I was able to throw my slider to lefties, where usually thats just fastball and curve." With a .500 record and a 4.71 ERA, even Verlanders years of dominance arent going to get him to Minnesota later this month for the All-Star festivities. "Im not going this year -- I can pretty much guarantee that," he said. "I didnt have a good first half, and I know that." "Its going to be the first time I get that weekend off in a while. It will be nice to get that time where I dont have to tax my arm. Ive put in a lot of extra work this year, trying to find my mechanics, so the rest will be good," he said. Torii Hunter hit three RBI singles and capped a six-run burst in the sixth inning. The three-time AL Central champion Tigers won for the 11th time in 13 games. The division leaders reached the halfway mark with a 47-34 mark. Oakland still has the best record in the majors despite its stumble at Comerica Park. The Tigers have eliminated Oakland from the post-season in each of the last two years. Detroit won this years season series 4-2, but with both teams leading their divisions, theres a chance of a fourth October meeting since 2006. "We won three of four here last year during the regular season, but they turned the tide on us this time," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "This wasnt a very good series for us -- getting swept never feels too good -- but we do want to play them again this year." If there is a third matchup, the As wont expect this version of Verlander. "For guys like that, there is a regular-season version and a playoff version," Moss said. "I guarantee you that when playoff time comes, hes going to be dominant." Hunter started at designated hitter for the first time in his two seasons with the Tigers. Hunter, who turns 39 on July 18, came into the game hitting .185 in his last 32 games and has struggled badly in right field. The Tigers had a rough time, too, going 9-20 in late May and early June. "I think it was really good for our team to go through some of those tough patches," second baseman Ian Kinsler. "It taught us a lot about what type of team we are, that we could come out of that thing and still be one of the best teams in baseball." Jesse Chavez (6-5) struggled for the second straight start, giving up five runs in five-plus innings. Reliever Jim Johnson, who replaced him, allowed four runs while only getting one out. "We got the lead in the first, and I gave it back," Chavez said. "Thats the biggest thing. As a starter, when you get the lead, you want to hang on to it." NOTES: Victor Martinez sat out with soreness in his side, but Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said it was purely precautionary and that he should be back at DH on Thursday. ... DH Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) and C Derek Norris (back) both returned to the lineup for Oakland. ... The As return home for a series with Toronto, with Sonny Gray (7-3) scheduled to face R.A. Dickey (6-7). ... Detroit remains home for a four-game weekend series with Tampa Bay. Max Scherzer (9-3) is scheduled to pitch the opener against Erik Bedard (4-5). Vapormax For Sale . -- The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed cornerback Perrish Cox to a one-year contract. Vapormax 2021 . "It was a little weird looking over and seeing all the green uniforms," he said of his first game against the Boston Celtics.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ted Ginn Jr. is proving coach Ron Rivera is right -- he can still blow the top off a defence. The 28-year-old Ginn is earning himself a home in Carolina, catching five passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns to lift the Panthers to a 25-10 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. In a game devoid of star power, Derek Anderson completed 10 of 15 passes for 220 yards, including TD strikes of 87 and 35 yards to Ginn, who is looking to re-establish himself in the league after being run out of Miami and San Francisco. "It was great just going out and finishing the preseason with a bang," said Ginn, whose 74-yard punt return sparked Carolinas 34-27 win over Baltimore last week. "Im happy I was able to show my team what I have." Only a handful of starters played as both coaches took a long look at players further down the depth chart. Rookie quarterback Landry Jones started and played the entire game for the Steelers, completing 16 of 35 passes for 189 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. After throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Paulson on Pittsburghs opening drive, Jones couldnt get the Steelers back in the end zone on their next 13 possessions. Jones admitted he made "some really bad decisions." "It was just errant throws -- it happens," Jones said. The Steelers drafted Jones in the fourth round giving them another option at quarterback for the often-injured Roethlisberger. The reviews were mixed. He did well avoiding the pass rush he seemed to struggle as the game progressed throwing three second-half interceptions, including one in the red zone. His best play came in the second quarter when he escaped a pass rush and threaded the needle by hitting Derek Moye on the run with a 32-yard completion. "I just wanted to go out there and play to the best of my abilities, and obviously, I didnt do that tonight," Jones said. "Theres a lot of football (game film) out there to watch, and Ive got all day tomorrow to get it done." The Steelers starting offensive line played for two series, but all of their prrimary skill players were given the night off, including Ben Roethlisberger, Isaac Redman and Antonio Brown. Vapormax Online. The Panthers rested almost their entire starting offence, as well, including Cam Newton. The only big play Newton made all night was wearing a bold pair of neon-green sneakers that stood out like a beacon on Carolinas sidelines. Rivera rested Newton and company despite the fact Carolinas first-team offence had only scored one offensive touchdown in the preseason. Earlier in the week Rivera scoffed at the idea the Panthers offence had "struggled" in the preseason, instead saying he liked the way the team was moving the ball "but we just need to put the ball in the end zone." Anderson did that twice in the first half, including finding Ginn on a seam route for a 35-yard touchdown pass on the games opening drive. Ginn then raced by Pittsburghs DaMon Cromartie-Smith and Curtis Brown for an 87-yard touchdown catch. "I came out and saw the safety take a bad angle right away and Teds so fast that I just gave him a chance," Anderson said. "I dont think you can actually overthrow him." After placing Jonathan Stewart on the physically unable to perform list earlier this week, the Panthers went into the game looking for a potential backup for DeAngelo Williams. Tauren Poole got the start at running back and ran for 32 yards on 10 carries, while Armond Smith had 43 yards on 17 carries. Rivera was pleased with his teams overall play, including the defence which had three turnovers. The Panthers finished the preseason with 13 takeaways in four games. "The thing that showed is we have some good young backups," Rivera said. "We got an opportunity to see those guys play today and they played well against a very physical, very tough Pittsburgh Steelers team." Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was a little more critical of his reserves. "Hopefully, we can separate the guys who dont belong and we can correct that over the next 48 hours," Tomlin said in advance of NFLs looming roster cuts to 53 players on Saturday. ' ' '