There is a precedent for it, albeit in a small sample, as Valencia hit eight home runs in 52 games with the Orioles two seasons ago. When he was at his best, Verlander would often add velocity to his fastball in the late innings, probably by virtue of “advanced planning” on his part.
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What’s also promising, on a more micro level, is Verlander’s velocity chart from his Wednesday start.
RHP Bruce Rondon was sent packing by the Tigers.
The Tigers scored six runs off Frankie Montas (0-1) in his first career start. He was acquired from Toronto in the trade that sent David Price to Toronto at the July 31 deadline.
Not only did Norris do everything he could to recover from his injury, he studied the masters of his art. He tuned into each start by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and the Toronto Blue Jays’ David Price while he mended. “I wanted to give him three days (off) in a row, with the off day Thursday”, Ausmus said. “This is encouraging for me”.
There haven’t been many moments from this season that Victor Martinez wants to remember fondly.
Kyle Ryan pitched well on Monday night.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris throws against the Chicago White Sox in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Detroit Tuesday, September 22, 2015. Afterward, Ryan admitted that he preferred coming out of the bullpen.
Manager Brad Ausmus echoed those sentiments to Fenech.
“You know what? I don’t think that it matters if I end up on a good note”, he said.
White Sox ninth. Romine in as third baseman. Verlander suffered a crushing no-decision in his last start on Friday, as he came within one out of a complete game against Kansas City.
Martinez joins former teammate Magglio Ordonez (294 home runs) on the short list of Venezuelan players who’ve hit 200 or more home runs in the major leagues, as well as current teammate Miguel Cabrera, who earlier this season became the first to hit 400.
There was one out in the seventh inning, and Justin Verlander had just given up three straight hits, the last of which – an Alexei Ramirez RBI double to left – prompted Detroit Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones to make a visit to the mound.
Cabrera was essentially the White Sox’ offense in this one, pounding out three of the club’s six hits. It is 330 feet down the line in right.
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Doing that allowed Norris to last five innings on Tuesday, even though he was on a 65-pitch limit. The White Sox loaded the bases later in the inning, but Verlander snuffed out the threat with his power pitching.
