In 2015, we haven’t seen the Justin Verlander that won the American League Cy Young award and the pitching triple crown in 2011. He came into his start tonight versus the Los Angeles with a 1-6 win-loss record, a 3.86 earned run average and 62 strikeouts. It also hasn’t been an ideal season for the Tigers, as they entered tonight tied with the Indians for last in the American League central at 59-66.

Verlander had to shut down down the 19th ranked offensive in the Angels featuring the reigning American League MVP Mike Trout. He came within three outs of doing so, but he lost it to the first batter in the 9th when Chris Iannetta hit a double that was just fair down the left field line, breaking up the no-hitter which would’ve been the 3rd of his career.

Verlander was able to finish the game with the one hit just allowed, with nine strikeouts and dropping his earned run average to 3.45, and with the help of three home runs lead the Tigers to a win 5-0 win.

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