The 42-year-old right-hander struck out six batters on the afternoon while issuing a pair of walks. The only blemish on his day came on a first-pitch solo home run by Zach Neto to open the fifth inning. He also got into trouble in the fourth inning as the Angels loaded the bases with a double and a pair of walks, but Verlander struck out Logan O’Hoppe to end the threat. He should have earned his first victory of the season, but Ryan Walker blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning that cost Verlander dearly. He got 12 swings and misses on 98 pitches in the game — nine of them on his fastball which averaged 94.8 mph and touched as high as 97.4 mph — while posting a CSW of 27 percent. He still sits at 0-1 on the season with a 5.47 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 23/11 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings through his first five starts. He’ll look to replicate this fine performance when he takes on the Rangers at home on Friday.

Verlander was terribly unlucky to give up six runs against the Reds last time out. Tonight, though, he was fortunate to allow only four, considering that he gave up eight hits, walked three and struck out only one. The Giants ought to be kicking themselves for not taking him out with a 3-2 lead after five. Verlander went on to give up four hits that inning while facing the middle of the Phillies lineup for a third time. The loss is his first decision in four starts this year. He’ll take a 6.75 ERA into a road start against the Angels this weekend.

Verlander had terrible luck in a five-run third inning, giving up five hits on balls that had xBAs of .540, .170, .170, .090 and .280. And those were actually the only hits he allowed today. The final run came in the sixth and was unearned. Verlander has a 6.92 ERA after three starts, but he’s throwing considerably better than that suggests. He topped out at 97.9 mph today and got 20 whiffs on his 90 pitches. He does have a tough outing next week in Philadelphia, but he shouldn’t be dropped in mixed leagues right now.