Justin Verlander gets first 2 career hits, pitches Tigers to 6-2 win over Padres
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy faces the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 12, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) (The Associated Press)
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.