Verlander gives Tigers vintage performance

DETROIT — As he has done so many times in his career, Justin Verlander stepped up and delivered in a big way to help the Tigers, who pulled back to within one game of the Orioles in the American League Wild Card race with Tuesday’s 12-0 win against the Indians.

Verlander’s season-high 12 strikeouts across 7 2/3 innings came as no surprise to manager Brad Ausmus.

“I’m tired of talking about how good he’s been, to be honest,” Ausmus said with a laugh. “If you’re not sure how good he’s been, just watch him.”

Verlander is no stranger to pitching under the pressures of fall baseball. He is 33-16 with a 3.21 ERA in September and October during his 11-year career.

“It’s not quite the same,” Verlander said. “Obviously there’s a little more intensity, but there’s no replicating the actual playoffs and the atmosphere and everything that goes on in those games.”

While the intensity level was not quite full-tilt …

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