DETROIT (AP) – Justin Verlander had no way of knowing what Detroit’s offense was about to do, so when he gave up five runs in the first inning, his goal was simply to prevent more scoring and hope for the best.
“That first inning’s tough, but as a starting pitcher, you have to have the ability to turn the page,” Verlander said. “It’s a nice feeling when you’re able to go out there and keep your team in the game, when at other times, maybe when I was younger, it turns into a two-inning or three-inning and eight-run affair.”
Verlander settled down after his terrible first inning, and the Tigers rallied in emphatic fashion for a 14-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. The Dodgers managed only one hit off Verlander after the first, and Detroit quickly tied it with five runs in the second.
The Tigers added two runs in the third and four in the fourth to pull away. Miguel Cabrera was one of five Detroit players with three hits.
Verlander (8-7) allowed five runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked two.