How you remembered it.

I’m not sure you could say it was just like the old days, with just five strikeouts and eight hits allowed, but no walks and two runs over eight innings for  Justin Verlander (23 GS, 150.2 IP, 4.66 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 2.2 fWAR) had to feel good. He didn’t feel dominant, but he also never lost it like he has during so many innings over the course of this forgettable season. The Tigers grabbed three runs in the fifth inning thanks to four straight hits by Holaday, Suarez, Davis, and Kinsler. Martinez knocked in Davis in the 7th to add some insurance but magically the bullpen, all one inning of it, didn’t need the help. The Tigers scored some runs, Verlander looked pretty good and Nathan didn’t do anything terribly wrong. You could get used to this. The team will look to take the series tomorrow with Rick Porcello (20 GS, 133.1 IP, 3.24 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 2.1 fWAR) toeing the rubber.

The Moment: Verlander K’s Barnes to end a very solid night.