Verlander Regains Velocity, Tigers win 10-2

There has been much discussion about Justin Verlander's lack of velocity this season. After consistently throwing his fastball in the 94-97 range last year, his first few starts this year saw him in the 91-92 range most often. A quick look at pitch f/x for tonight shows that he was consistently throwing his fastball between 94-96. Some have been hypothesizing that his lack of velocity in previous starts could be due to an injury. I hadn't been overly concerned about it but I wasn't ruling out the possibility either so tonight's start was reassuring. Verlander was not dominant tonight but he did toss his first quality start of the year - one run in six innings - and his control was better (just two walks).

The Tigers gave Justin plenty of support tonight taking the lead with two runs in the second and blowing the game open with a five run third. The third inning featured home runs by Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and believe it or not Ramon Santiago (his first since 2003). The following Tigers had multiple hits:

• Santiago - double, homer and three RBI

• Edgar Renteria - four for four to raise his batting average to .333

• Jacque Jones - double and triple.

Game two of the series will be tomorrow night with Kenny Rogers facing Luis Mendoza.

Notes:

Francisco Cruceta had an impressive debut for the Toledo Mud Hens tonight - three scoreless, hitless innings. He also had six strikeouts and didn't allow a ball to be hit out of the infield.

Gary Sheffield learned today that he has no structural damage in his shoulder and that his troubles are related to tearing scar tissue (a normal result of surgery). He received cortisone shots in both shoulders and will likely miss the entire Rangers series but will not be going on the DL. Placido Polanco may be able to return for tomorrow's game.

There is so much going on today that the much anticipated return of Curtis Granderson gets only a note. He is done with his rehab and will be back tomorrow. The funny thing is that when Leyland made his "major announcement" tonight, I thought it was going to be about Granderson's return.