Justin Verlander shines as Detroit Tigers defeat Kansas City Royals 2-1 – MLB Update
Justin Verlander won his 12th game with his seven strong innings to guide Detroit Tigers to a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday, July 10.
Justin Verlander’s innings were an epitome of perfection since the start. Not only had a wonderful start, he was emboldening the offence sufficient enough to contribute. Having already won the two of four-game series, the Tigers came across as a team to
win the last game with fashion.
Despite the hot temperature, Verlander’s innings were amazing. "I knew it would be a grind out there, as hot as it was," said Verlander. "I took my time between pitches and just tried to slow things down a little bit. I felt like that helped."
Once Verlander threw the third, hitless and scoreless, Brennan Boesch singled to right, allowing Casper Wells to score and give the Tigers their first run in the game. It was a lead that only Verlander could defend and he did.
Verlander, having played 20 games this season and holding a 2.15 ERA, improved the WHIP in the game with an impressive 0.78. The 28-year-old right hander continued to pitch unplayable innings by the time the Tigers’ offence sparked.
Looking for someone sharp, the Tigers could not find someone of Verlander’s calibre in the game. "No matter where I looked -- my bullpen, their bullpen, in the stands -- I couldn't find anybody any better," the team manager Leyland said. "So he's going to
be out there."
Magglio Ordonez had a hit and a run in the sixth inning to double the lead for the Tigers, effectively putting the team on the winning track in the face of a merciless Verlander. Once the lead was 2-0, he pitched the seventh inning scoreless.
Verlander’s strong innings drew praise even from the rival camp. "It was a really well-pitched game. We just matched up against a really good pitcher," said Royals’ manager Ned Yost. "We did what we wanted to do, we wanted to keep it close and have a chance
to win it late, we just couldn't push the run across."
Alex Gordon saw an opportunity in the eighth inning to score and succeeded, on an error by third baseman Inge to bring the lead down to 2-1.
Jose Valverde was brought in the ninth inning when the lead was 2-1 for the Tigers. Valverde hardly faltered and pitched an excellent inning to win the game 2-1 and the series by 3-1 for the Tigers against a straining Kansas City Royals.
Detroit put in a tremendous effort as they managed to get a much needed victory against the Royals.
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