Royals beat Verlander for first time in 2-0 victory over Tigers

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“Before, he used to bang you with that curveball, boom, and it was strike three. Now, he’s relying on that change-up a lot, and it’s a good pitch. But it’s not a devastating curveball or a 98-mph fastball.”

Verlander topped out around 94 mph but did get his second “quality start” in nine outings. He also lowered his ERA to 6.05 after giving up two runs in six-plus innings.

“He wasn’t perfect,” Leyland said, “but he was certainly good enough. He gave us every opportunity. We get four or five or six runs, he picks up a win; more important, we pick up a win.”

Instead, the Tigers lost for the ninth time in 11 games and fell to 16-24.

The Royals got the game’s only runs after opening the second inning with successive singles by Billy Butler and Mark Teahen, which put runners at first and third with no outs. Verlander caught a break when Butler broke for home on John Buck’s hopper to third.

The result was an easy out at the plate.

But Verlander loaded the bases by walking Tony Peña on four pitches before Gathright sliced a soft two-run single to left.

It wasn’t much. But it was enough to beat Verlander.

“That’s the first time ever?” DeJesus asked. “That’s crazy. Really?”

Really.

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To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4352 or send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com