Verlander sharp in rehab start in Toledo

Detroit Tiger ace Justin Verlander pitched in his second rehab start last night in Toledo.   The Tigers AAA team the Toledo Mudhens would end up losing to the Columbus Clippers 6-1 before the largest crowd in Fifth Third Field history.    13,300 fans mostly Tigers watched as Verlander looked extremely sharp in his second start of the 2015 season.   Having pitched 6 days earlier and not looking very good it was important for Verlander to have a strong outing. 

Verlander would pitch into the 6th inning with 93 pitches and also weathered a visit from Mudhens manager Larry Parrish.   Justin would allow only 4 hits and have 9 strikeouts in this start.    The only Columbus run off of Verlander was unearned to go along with the 68 strikes that he would pitch.   All of the Detroit top management were in attendance to watch the progress for the former Cy Young award winner.   

The Mudhens with thousands of fans in the Standing Room Only section all around the ballpark cheered loudly when Parrish took out Verlander in the 6th inning.   The Mudhens who are struggling this season would only score one run on the evening in the first inning.   Another Tiger on a rehab assignment Bruce Rondon coming back from Tommy John surgery didn't fare as well as Verlander on the night.    He still has a ways to go before coming back to the parent club.    Verlander is expected to make one more start in the minors before his return to the Tigers in mid-June.