DETROIT (AP) — Gregory Polanco had two of Pittsburgh’s six doubles, and the Pirates chased Justin Verlander during the fifth inning of a 7-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
Verlander (0-1), who took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning at Miami in his first start, allowed seven runs and 10 hits — five of them doubles — in 4 1/3 innings. His 111 pitches were his most in an outing lasting fewer than five innings.
He appeared to have good stuff early, but the Pirates were able to run up his pitch counts in the first two innings. Verlander needed 18 pitches as Pittsburgh scored a run in the first, then threw 37 in the second.
Jonathan Niese (1-0) gave up four runs — three earned — and five hits in six innings. Three relievers finished, with Mark Melancon pitching a one-hit ninth for his third save.
