DETROIT -- With a fourth-inning punchout of Prince Fielder, Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander moved into second place in Tigers history with 1,981 strikeouts.
Verlander passed Jack Morris, who pitched for the Tigers from 1977-90 and averaged 159 strikeouts per season after becoming a full-time starting pitcher in 1979. Removing the 2005 season, in which Verlander only pitched two games, he has averaged 194 strikeouts per season.
The 33-year-old Verlander now only trails Mickey Lolich and his 2,679 strikeouts with Detroit from 1963-75.
Verlander was the No. 2 overall pick by the Tigers in the 2004 MLB Draft.