SAN DIEGO – Justin Verlander had the first two hits of his career and pitched seven strong innings to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 6-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.
Verlander, who came in 0 for 26 with 15 strikeouts, singled up the middle off Ian Kennedy in the second inning and had a base hit to right in the fourth, although he had to hustle to avoid being thrown out by Chris Denorfia. Verlander scored on Torii Hunter’s two-run single in the fourth.
The sight of Verlander (1-1) on the mound at Petco Park was another reminder of how the Padres flubbed the top pick in the June 2004 amateur draft. Not wanting to pay a big signing bonus, the team passed on players such as Jered Weaver, Stephen Drew and Verlander in favor of local shortstop Matt Bush.
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