|
 Verlander reared back and fired fastballs that were clocked at 99
and 98 mph on the radar gun for his last two pitches. The last one
struck out Chicago White Sox catcher Geovany Soto with the bases
loaded and the Detroit Tigers held on for a 7-4 victory at Comerica
Park.
"It's nice to feel it come out like that, especially the way the
game had gone," the Tigers ace said. "Early in the game, it didn't
feel great. My body felt a little lethargic, it wasn't coming out
great and that all turned around in that inning. I was letting it go
pretty good."
Verlander regularly reached those levels earlier in his career, but
his velocity had dropped in recent seasons. He averaged a
career-high 95.6 mph on his fastball in 2009, according to
FanGraphs.com, but that has fallen to 93.1 in the last two seasons.
He left no doubt against the White Sox that he can still overpower
opponents with his heater.
"Especially in September, late in the season, finding a way to bear
down and reach back for all you've got for a couple of pitches,
that's very impressive," Detroit catcher James McCann said. "That
was vintage Ver."
Verlander (4-8), who struck out eight, held the White Sox to three
runs and five hits in his final home start of the season. He
received the most run support he has enjoyed all season, including
designated hitter Victor Martinez's 200th career homer. His two-run
shot in the first inning gave Verlander an early cushion.
"It helped big time," Verlander said. "Especially early on, getting
some early runs and Victor hitting his 200th homer, it was all big.
I was able to attack guys."
Left fielder Rajai Davis, whose walkoff triple gave Detroit a 2-1,
10-inning victory on Tuesday, supplied three hits and scored three
runs. Right fielder J.D. Martinez added a two-run double and Neftali
Feliz notched his eighth save for the Tigers (71-81).
Left fielder Melky Cabrera had three hits, including his 100th
career home run, and drove in three runs for the White Sox (72-80).
Frankie Montas (0-1) gave up six runs and six hits in his first
major league start.
"That's a tough lineup, an experienced group," Chicago manager Robin
Ventura said. "If you're not going to locate, you can get hurt by it
and Frankie did."
Chicago third baseman Mike Olt exited in the fifth inning with right
shoulder discomfort.
With Davis aboard and two outs, Victor Martinez drilled a 1-0 pitch
over the right-field wall for his milestone homer.
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The Tigers piled up four more runs in the third against Montas,
highlighted by J.D. Martinez's bases-loaded, ground-rule double to
make it 6-0.
Cabrera's two-out homer just over the right-field wall in the fourth
cut the Tigers' lead to 6-2.
Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler singled in a run during the
bottom of the inning.
Chicago shortstop Alexei Ramirez had an RBI double in the seventh.
The White Sox loaded the bases later in the inning, but Verlander
snuffed out the threat with his power pitching.
"That's probably the biggest thing from the past," Ventura said. "He
always had velocity early. Now, he builds on that. When he got into
a tight spot at the end, he was really able to find another gear and
crank it up there in the high 90s."
NOTES: Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera was given the day off on Wednesday
to rest a lower back ailment, manager Brad Ausmus said. Ausmus is
hopeful that by holding Cabrera out, coupled with Thursday's
schedule day off, he'll be available this weekend against Minnesota.
... The Tigers' 38 victories against Central Division opponents
entering the game matched the division-leading Kansas City Royals
for the most wins by an American League team in its division this
season. ... White Sox LHP Chris Sale will start the first game of a
four-game series against the New York Yankees on Thursday. The
team's ace has lost his last three starts. ... Chicago LHP Jose
Quintana got his 51st career no-decision on Tuesday, the most by any
starter during a four-year span in baseball history. ... White Sox
relievers were 1-3 with a 6.02 ERA in the last 14 games.
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