Justin Verlander solid as Detroit Tigers crush Baltimore Orioles 4-0 – MLB Update
Justin Verlander came back strongly from his poor All Star Game outing as he helped Detroit Tigers shut-out the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.
Austin Jackson has made a big difference to the team since returning from the Disabled List. He homered to right in the first inning to give Tigers the momentum. Jhonny Peralta made his presence felt as he singled to right and Brennan Boesch scored.
Catcher Alex Avila also played a key role in Tigers’ superb victory in the finale on Sunday, July 15 as he earned an RBI single to right in the sixth. However, it was Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander who were heroes of the game.
Cabrera homered to right-centre in the bottom of the ninth and starting pitcher Verlander, who was roughed up in the All Star Game, pitched a three hitter in to the eighth inning helping his side cruise to a comfortable win.
"He was just in total command and I knew he would be, particularly after the All-Star Game," Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland said. "The fans wanted to see him throw it 100 (mph) and he threw it a 100. Today he pitched the way he can pitch and has been pitching.
... Today the horse did what the horses do."
"When he had some struggles in the All-Star Game I wasn't too excited about it," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "I kind of had an idea he was going to be on top of his game today."
In some ways, it was an extremely important win for the Tigers as it will keep the American League Central Division leaders guessing. Right now, the Tigers are just three games behind the Chicago White Sox and they will be looking to pounce on every possible
opportunity.
Jim Leyland and company have shown some great improvement in their game play over the last couple of weeks. With seven wins in their last ten games, there is definitely a shift in momentum for the Tigers. After beating the struggling Orioles, the Tigers
will now be preparing for a tough series against the Los Angeles Angels.
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