One-time Tigers ace Justin Verlander can now be considered their third starter at best, but he was encouraged by his start Friday night in Colorado. It marked just the second time in 23 outings this season in which he pitched at least eight innings. It also provided his fourth win in last six starts.
"I think pitching is constant tinkering," he told MLive.com. "You're always working on things. This year I made more drastic adjustments than I would have liked but I feel like I'm heading in the right direction. ... I felt lke my breaking ball was better (Friday night). I felt like the slider, when it was right, was really good. I threw a few really good ones later in the game that had a lot of late, sharp bite to them."
Verlander walked none in the defeat of the Rockies after yielding six walks in 13 2/3 innings in his last two starts combined. He has six quality starts in his last eight outings.