Tigers honor Justin Verlander before 8-7 win over Pirates on eve of his final start

The Detroit Tigers honored pitcher Justin Verlander in a pregame ceremony Friday night, then beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7. [3][4]

MLB said in a post on X that Verlander addressed Tigers fans before the game. The post quoted Verlander as saying, "I am, and always will be, a Detroit Tiger." [1] MLB followed with a second post reading "Thank you, JV." [2]

According to The Associated Press, the ceremonies were lengthy enough that the game began 30 minutes late. The AP said they came on the eve of Verlander's final MLB start. Verlander is 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA and is up next, making his first start at Comerica Park since Aug. 20, 2017, when he beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1. [4]

On the field, Detroit led 8-2 after seven innings. The Pirates cut the deficit to one run in the eighth on RBI singles by Nick Gonzales and Ryan O'Hearn and a three-run homer by Rafael Flores Jr. [4]

Tigers slugger Spencer Torkelson finished a single short of the cycle. The AP reported that Torkelson tripled in the second inning, doubled, and hit a 26th home run in the seventh. Two of those hits came on balls Pittsburgh's defense failed to field cleanly. [4]

Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Pitcher Kenley Jansen worked the ninth for the 498th save of a career and a 22nd this season in 28 chances. Dillon Dingler had a two-run single for Detroit, bringing a career-high RBI total to 91. [4]

Pittsburgh fell to 81-79. The Pirates need one more win for their first winning season since 2018, the AP reported. [4]