Justin Verlander is definitely serious about being ready for the season on Day 1, not Day 31. Another spring performance, another spring domination for a player who decided he would change the way he approached his offseason and spring training work in order to avoid another April like he had last year. Verlander struck out eight and allowed six hits in six shutout innings, helping Detroit to a 6-1 victory over the Nationals.
Highlights? There were a few. For one, Don Kelly -- a late addition while Magglio Ordonez was scratched with a sore hamstring -- hit his first home run of spring training. He finished with two hits and two RBI. Danny Worth, in substitution for Brandon Inge at third base, had a two-run double.
On the defensive side of things, Ryan Raburn showed why he can be frustrating in left field: He made a first-inning error, but threw out a runner in the second.
In relief for Detroit, Ryan Perry allowed a home run in the seventh. Fu-Te Ni allowed a hit in a scoreless eighth inning, and Brad Thomas gave up a pair of hits and a walk but no runs in the ninth.