A funny thing happened early in Thursday's expected pitcher's duel between Cy Young candidates Justin Verlander of the Tigers and Yu Darvish of the Rangers; the offenses spoiled the party.
Verlander lasted just 2 2/3 innings in the game as he ran into a huge amount of trouble in the third inning. Verlander allowed two hits to open the inning, and then threw a wild pitch and then walked in the first run of the inning.
He allowed another bases-loaded walk, but had a chance to get out of the inning with just the two runs allowed. Unfortunately, he surrendered a two-run double to Mitch Moreland and then a three-run home run to Geovany Soto to end his game.
This is just the fourth time in Verlander's career that he has not gotten out of the third inning, and the first since June 22, 2010. He allowed eight runs on six hits and two walks, with his first home run allwoed since his second start of the year.
Verlander falls to 2-2 on the season, taking the loss in a 10-4 final. Verlander's ERA jumped from 1.93 to 3.17 with this start. He will try to bounce back Wednesday, against the Indians.