May 24
RHP Justin Verlander gave up a home run to the first batter of the game and a stolen base in the fourth, and those two runs cost the Cy Young/MVP award winner his first loss in his last 14 decisions away from Comerica Park.
"It's not the first time I've given up a leadoff homer," Verlander said. "The bloops, those are tough. I'd rather somebody hit the ball hard than back-to-back bloops like that with two out. That kind of gets to me a little bit." CF Michael Brantley blooped a single to right center with two out in the fourth, stole second off the inattentive Verlander and scored on another bloop to the same spot by 3B Jose Lopez. Verlander geared it up in the eighth to give his team a shot at tying, striking out the side with three pitches at 100-102 mph and two at 98 and 99. "That eighth inning was unbelievable that he pitched," manager Jim Leyland said.
May 19
Verlander pitched a one-hitter against Pittsburgh on Friday.
Advice: He didn't give up a hit until there was one out in the ninth, falling short of his third no-hitter. He struck out 12, walking two, in a dominating performance for the right-hander, who has won three straight starts. He is 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA with two complete games.
May 18
Verlander was his usual dominating self Friday night, tossing a one-hit shutout at the overmatched Pirates. He walked two and struck out 12 in running his record to 5-1 on the year.
Recommendation: Still hitting triple-digits late in the game, and throwing 76 of 109 pitches for strikes, designated-hitter Josh Harrison broke up Verlander's no-hit bid with one out in the ninth on a soft, low line drive up the middle. He is capable of this kind of outing any time he takes the mound.
