Detroit — Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said before the game that Friday night’s pitching matchup was a baseball purist’s dream: Justin Verlander vs. the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard.
“It’s two elite pitchers going at it,” he said. “A little bit new school/old school, as well. Should be fun to watch.”
He was right. And for the six innings both pitchers toiled, old-school won out.
Verlander allowed two runs and four hits and struck out nine over six innings, and the Tigers beat the Mets, 4-3.
With nine strikeouts and several extended at-bats, Verlander’s pitch count was high.