Cardinals' Lynn no match for Verlander
The Cardinals dropped to 2-11 in interleague play at Comerica Park over five seasons when they lost 6-3 to the Detroit Tigers and ace right-hander Justin Verlander on Tuesday.
Verlander gave up just one earned run in seven innings, and young right-hander Lance Lynn, a 10-game winner, wasn't a match for the reigning American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner.
The loss left the Cardinals at the .500 level (34-34) for the fourth time this season. It also left Lynn at 10-3 after a taxing 102-pitch outing over five innings.
"He looked a little bogged down from the beginning," said manager Mike Matheny. "That really isn't how he's pitched all year, but young pitchers are going to have those days."
Lynn said, "Against a team like this, if you're behind in the count all night, they're going to hurt you. I've got to be better than that, especially with who they had going for them.
"You've got to come with your 'A' game if you plan on having any success against this team. And tonight I didn't have it. I wasn't sharp and they made me pay for it."
Matheny thought Lynn's fastball was his undoing -- it often sailed out of the strike zone. "I was kind of feeling through it and I left some pitches up," Lynn said. "In the outings where I've been less successful, I've been behind in counts and that's going to hurt you, no matter who you are."
