Justin Verlander continues his trek to a career-best season that now includes a no-hitter and career high in strikeouts in a game. Over his last six starts, the Tigers ace has compiled a 6-0 record and 0.72 ERA and that’s not including the no-hitter on May 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

After tossing that no-no against the Jays, the second of his career, the flamethrower went into the sixth inning in his next start before giving up a hit, but it didn’t end there. Staying consistent and making batters look handcuffed every time they stepped into the box, he took yet another no-no into the eighth against the division rival Cleveland Indians to earn a win to put Detroit into a tie for first place.

Last night against the Diamondbacks, Verlander again showed up with his best stuff, striking out a career-high 14 in a 6-0 win that moved his team into the top of the AL Central.

Verlander spent the night throwing heat well into the late innings (the radar gun showed 100MPH on a pitch in the eighth). When hitters would brace for the fastball, he offered one of his patented curveballs sending batters back to the dugout.

With the near flawless performance, J.V. increased his MLB best strikeout total to 124 and dropped his ERA to 2.38. Most impressive has been his consistent control. In the no-hitter on May 7 he didn’t walk a single batter and last night walked just one.

With six Yankees potentially starting the 2011 All-Star game in a few weeks, it will be interesting to see if Verlander (10-3) gets the call to start for the AL. Standing in his way may be New York Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia who also has 10 wins at this point of the season.

For the box score of the Tigers vs. Diamondbacks go to MLB.com.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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