Justin Verlander was quite efficient in the top of the fourth inning.
He needed just nine pitches to set down the Red Sox in order.
Most impressive was his strikeout against Boston first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, one of the best hitters in the league. Verlander carved him up on a breaking ball that caught the outside corner.
Gonzalez disputed the call, but it was a correct one. Definitely caught the black, if not the white, of the plate. That was Verlander’s fourth strikeout through 14 Red Sox hitters.
Leading off, Dustin Pedroia flew to right, and ending it David Ortiz flew high and deep to center.
During Ortiz’s at-bat, the Tigers had the shift on — which put Miguel Cabrera in the shortstop position. No reason to mention this, other than it was an odd sight.
Due up for the Tigers in the bottom of the fourth: Boesch, Cabrera, Fielder.
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