Justin Verlander shines as Detroit Tigers defeat Cleveland Indians 4-0 – MLB Update
Justin Verlander marshalled his enviable pitching resources on Tuesday, June 14, to guide the Detroit Tigers to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park, Detroit.
With the variation in Verlander’s fastballs, fluctuating between 100-70 mph, he threw the Indians' hitters into inextricable confusion.
"It's kind of tough on hitters when I can change speeds, elevation and do what I want to do," Verlander said.
Verlander’s exploit won enormous appreciation from the team manager who said, “With that guy, you feel lucky any time you get a hit. You just go up there and keep battling and hope he throws you something you can get your bat on.”
Justin was unhittable since the start of the game on Tuesday. The first inning that he came to pitch saw Grady Sizemore, Carlos Santana, Michael Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera wondering how to go ahead against such a pitcher.
"He's nasty and he's going to make guys look a little silly up there," Detroit catcher Alex Avila said. "That's what happens when you can throw anywhere from 78 to 98 (mph) with a nasty curveball, changeup."
Verlander successfully threw scoreless innings, which did not include even a single hit. While he was coming down hard on the now seemingly helpless Indians’ offence, the Tigers’ hitters contributed their share in the third inning.
Masterson, who initially seemed equally strong with his fastballs against the Indians’ offence, was subject to three hits in the third inning, including an error as well which proved costly for the Tigers.
Miguel Cabrera was first to lay a solid foundation and then pave the way for the Tigers’ victory. Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly to centre to give an ideal start. The 1-0 lead then did not stop there, as Andy Dirks singled to centre, allowing Kelly to score
the second run for the Tigers.
Alex Avila did not let the flow of runs stop with his sacrifice fly to centre, giving a 3-0 lead to the Detroit against a seemingly weakening Indians’ defence.
Entering into the seventh inning and Verlander was pitching hitless innings. Andy Dirks drew the second of his game and the team’s fourth run in the seventh inning, taking to task Masterson once again. Masterson gave up three hits in the inning, unable to
stop the charged Detroit offence.
While the 4-0 lead was enough for Verlander to defend, he became the second starter on Tuesday, after Shields of the Rays, to pitch a shut-out game, leading to the magnificent 4-0 win of for the Tigers over the Cleveland Indians.
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