Verlander dominating
When the last batter swung and missed, giving Justin Verlander his 14th strikeout of the night, the tall right-hander pumped his fist emphatically in a rare show of emothion.
Verlander has been among the American League’s elite for most of his career, but this year has taken another step forward. He threw his second career no-hitter in May, the start of a sensational stretch that has vaulted him into the discussion for the Cy Young Award as the season nears its midway point.
Verlander’s no-hitter came May 7 at Toronto. He was within one eighth-inning walk of a perfect game. In his last four starts, Verlander has allowed two runs in 34 innings. He’s struck out 41 and walked three. On the season, he’s 10-3 with a 2.38 ERA, averaging nearly a strikeout an inning and holding opponents to a .178 batting average.
Royals to use six-man rotation
The Kansas City Royals plan to go with a six-man pitching rotation at least until the All-Star break.
Kansas City manager Ned Yost said the move is designed to help the Royals stay healthy. The lineup will be Kyle Davies, Danny Duffy, Jeff Francis, Bruce Chen, Felipe Paulino and Luke Hochevar.
LAPD examining purported video
Los Angeles police were examining a video that purportedly shows the San Francisco Giants fan who was brutally beaten at Dodgers Stadium being confronted by another fan in the bleachers shortly before he was assaulted in the parking lot after the opening day game.
The few seconds of grainy video posted by TMZ.com show a man in a blue Dodgers hat and jersey pointing a finger at someone in a black and orange shirt who resembles Bryan Stow.
Stow, a 42-year-old Santa Cruz paramedic and father of two, was wearing Giants apparel at the March 31 game. Police said tha t after the game, two men attacked Stow in the stadium parking lot. He was knocked down, beaten and left in critical condition with head injuries.
Around the bases
For the first time since being placed on the 15-day disabled list, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter took batting practice on the field. … Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton underwent yet another MRI to discover why he still continues to feel soreness in his right elbow.