Public Media from Michigan State University

Verlander touched up in final spring start

By AP

LAKELAND, FL – Justin Verlander was roughed up for five runs, three earned, over 5 1-3 innings in his final start of spring training, though the Detroit Tigers downed the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-5 Wednesday.

Verlander, who will face Kansas City's Zach Greinke on Monday, allowed 10 hits and walked two as his spring ERA ballooned to 5.48.

Verlander said he felt ready to go and was using the game to make adjustments he would not normally make in the regular season.

Scott Sizemore hit his third homer of the spring and went 2 for 3 for the Tigers. Johnny Damon had three hits.

Pirates starter Zach Duke allowed eight runs - all earned - in 3 2-3 innings.

Aki Iwamura, Lastings Milledge and Andy LaRoche each had two hits for the Pirates.

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