SAN FRANCISCO — It’s the middle of June, and Justin Verlander is still looking for his first win with the San Francisco Giants.
Verlander returned Wednesday night after being sidelined by a strained right pectoral muscle. The three-time American League Cy Young Award winner allowed four runs, three earned, and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings in the Giants’ 4-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
It was the first major league appearance for the 42-year-old Verlander since May 18. He has a 4.45 ERA in 11 starts after finalizing a $15 million, one-year contract with San Francisco in January.
Verlander was activated from the 15-day injured list, and catcher Patrick Bailey was reinstated from the 10-day IL. Right-hander Tristan Beck and catcher Logan Porter were optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
Bailey, 26, is coming back from a strained neck. He started behind the plate and singled in his first two at-bats.
Verlander allowed a run in the first when Kyle Manzardo doubled and scored on Jose Ramirez’s single.
Verlander was hurt by a one-out error on second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald in the fourth. Lane Thomas followed with a single to center before Daniel Schneemann connected for a three-run homer on an 0-2 fastball.
The nine-time All-Star struck out six and walked one. He threw 83 pitches, 56 for strikes.
