(Sports Network) - Hard-throwing but inconsistent righty Justin Verlander tries for a third straight win tonight when the Detroit Tigers host the Cleveland Indians in the third and final game of a three-game series at Comerica Park.

Verlander, who's won 17 and 18 games in the last two seasons, respectively, had upped his 2008 mark to a mediocre 8-9 on July 20 before losing four consecutive starts, including a 7-2 defeat against Toronto on Aug. 11 in which he lasted just 4 1/3 innings.

The second overall draft pick in 2004 regained his stuff for a 5-3 victory against the Orioles on Aug. 16, then pitched 6 2/3 solid innings en route to a 4-3 win at Kansas City on Aug. 22.

In the two victories, the 25-year-old Virginian has allowed 12 hits and two unearned runs in 12 2/3 innings.

He's 4-8 lifetime against the Indians in 13 starts, including a 9-4 loss on July 31 at Progressive Field and a 9-2 win on July 8 at Comerica.

For Cleveland, burly right-hander Fausto Carmona makes start No. 7 since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list with a hip injury.

A 19-game winner last season, Carmona fell to 4-2 this season when he dropped an 13-9 decision to Texas on May 23 and was subsequently shelved for the first time since he became a full-time starter last season.

He came back to lose an 11-4 verdict to Minnesota on July 26, but rebounded five days later for a 9-4 victory over Detroit after allowing five hits and two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.

The win upped his career mark against the Tigers to 5-2 in 10 games - seven starts - with a 3.02 ERA in 50 2/3 innings.

In his last start, on Aug. 22 at Texas, Carmona allowed six hits and an unearned run over six innings of a 7-5 downing of the Rangers.

On Tuesday, Ben Francisco hit two home runs and Cliff Lee got his American League-leading 19th win, as the Indians crushed the Tigers, 10-4.

Lee (19-2) was sensational once again, allowing only two runs on six hits and a walk in 7 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. The lefty won for the eighth time in nine starts and for the fifth time in August, matching a season-high set in April.

Francisco finished the game 3-for-5 with four runs batted in while Carroll and Kelly Shoppach each added solo home runs to give the Indians their ninth straight victory.

Chris Lambert (0-1) didn't last long in his major league debut, allowing six runs -- two earned -- on five hits in 2 2/3 innings while striking out two and walking one. He didn't get much help from his defense, which committed two crucial errors in the third.

Brandon Inge went 2-for-4 with an RBI while Ryan Raburn had a hit, a run scored and an RBI for the Tigers, losers of three straight.

Detroit has split its 14 matchups with the Tribe this season.