Justin Verlander delivered an impressive rehab outing on Tuesday, tossing five scoreless innings as the Toledo Mud Hens crushed the Iowa Cubs 16-1.
The veteran right-hander, sidelined since spring training due to a hip issue, allowed three singles and a double while striking out four batters without issuing a walk.
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Verlander threw 48 of his 64 pitches for strikes, showcasing sharp movement on his slider and changeup.
His fastball averaged 93.5 mph and topped out at 95 mph.
He is expected to make one more rehab appearance before rejoining the Detroit Tigers rotation.
Mud Hens Offense Explodes
Toledo wasted no time supporting Verlander, scoring two runs in the first inning on a home run by Max Anderson.
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The Mud Hens added three runs in the third, highlighted by Eduardo Valencia's 10th homer of the season, and broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning capped by Trei Cruz's grand slam.
Jack Little allowed the Cubs' only run in the seventh.
Max Clark hit a solo homer in the eighth, and Toledo added a run in the ninth on a throwing error.
Max Anderson led the offense with four hits, including a double and a home run, driving in four runs.
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Trei Cruz drove in four runs as well.
