Justin Verlander Knocked Around in Triple-A Rehab Start

By Peyton Wesner

It was his first ever Triple-A start and with today's performance, it may not be his last. The 2011 American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Justin Verlander was knocked around in two and two/thirds innings of work as he allowed three earned runs, on six hits. The 2014 Detroit Tigers Opening Day starter threw a total of seventy-nine pitches for three strikeouts and two walks with a fastball that regularly hit ninety-two miles per hour and topped out at ninety-five. In addition, his off speed pitches had batters swinging early in the count, but overall he had much trouble locating his pitches and allowed runners to enter scoring position in all three innings he was on the mound.

In his first inning of action, he was able to make the leadoff hitter flyout but then allowed a single to Indianapolis's Keon Broxton. Broxton later entered scoring position by stealing second base putting the pressure on Verlander immediately. Nevertheless, he was not fazed and retired Steve Lombardozzi with a strikeout and Brent Morel by groundout. The following inning would not go as smoothly.

The second inning started with Verlander getting Tony Sanchez to pop-up on the infield for the first out. Next, was Jeff Decker and he got the party started by blooping a single to right field making the right hander deliever from the stretch once again. Sure one baserunner is no serious issue, but three is, and that is what resulted as Verlander walked the next two batters to load the bases. Indianapolis's Gustavo Nunez would have a great opportunity to plate the first run of the game, especially after he worked the count to three balls and one strike. 

Despite the 2011 American League MVP being one strike away from walking home a run, he was able to fight back and strike out Nunez. He was only one out away from escaping the jam, but he was re-entering the top of the lineup with leadoff man and MLB.com's 84th top prospect in baseball Alen Hanson stepping into the batter's box. Verlander was able to get Hanson to shoot a ball high into the air above where the infield ends and outfield begins. It would have been a sure out if shortstop Dixon Machado and third baseman Jefry Marte would have communicated and not let the ball fall as a hit. Two runs scored from the mental error and the Indians were leading 2-0. But the Triple-A affilate of the Pittsburgh Pirates were not done since Verlander reloaded the bases by hitting Broxton in the back with a ninety-three miles per hour fastball. This time though with three ducks on the pond, the Mud Hens' defense did not let down their rehabbing starter as right fielder Steven Moya caught a Lombardozzi flyout to retire the side.

The third inning was not any better for Verlander as the first two batters, Brent Morel and Tony Sanchez, reached base with singles. Here we go again? Not so fast! Verlander rebounded by striking out Decker setting up the possibility to escape the inning with a double play ball.  Elias Diaz had other plans though and softly hit a ball to centerfield ultimately reloading the bases. Gorkys Hernandez was the next man with an opportunity to break the 2-2 tie, and he capitalized on his chance with a long fly ball that brought the runner from third home. At this point, Verlander had seventy-nine pitches and Toledo manager Larry Parish decided to remove him.

Despite command issues, reports are that Verlander's arm is feeling good after his start. So far there has been no word on whether he will make another start for Toledo later in the week. If Tigers' manager Brad Ausmus decides to send Verlander back on the farm, the likely spot starter canidates to fill his spot in the rotation are Buck Farmer, who gave up seven earned runs to the Angels in five innings, and Kyle Ryan, who was Wednesday's winner after throwing three innings of one run ball.