New York Mets' Justin Verlander Joins Elite Club in Baseball History With Dominant Outing

Justin Verlander, making his second start of the season, dominated the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night. He joined an exclusive club in baseball history that includes some of the best pitchers to ever take the mound.

New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander joined an exclusive club in baseball history on Wednesday night.

Verlander dominated the Cincinnati Reds, picking up the win while going seven innings and allowing just one earned run on two hits.

With that performance, he joined an exclusive club in baseball history -- one that includes the best pitchers in the history of the sport.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

Tonight marked Justin Verlander’s 33rd career start going at least 7 IP while allowing 2 or fewer hits, tying Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson for the 2nd-most starts by a pitcher since the mound was set at it's current distance in 1893.

Tonight marked Justin Verlander’s 33rd career start going at least 7 IP while allowing 2 or fewer hits, tying Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson for the 2nd-most starts by a pitcher since the mound was set at it's current distance in 1893. pic.twitter.com/l7EUW3ifty

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 11, 2023

First off, it's absurd that Nolan Ryan has nearly double these type of performances (62), but it's also absurd that Verlander has been able to put up these kind of performances consistently in an era that doesn't allow starters to go as deep into games.

Through two starts, Verlander is now 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA. He's struck out 12 batters in 12 innings. He was signed to a two-year deal in the offseason but missed the first month of the season with a teres minor strain.

One of the best pitchers of his generation, Verlander is now 245-134 in his career with a 3.24 ERA. He's a World Series champion (2022), a former MVP, a Rookie of the Year, a three-time Cy Young Award winner an a nine-time All-Star.

The Mets will finish out their series with the Reds today at 12:35 p.m. ET.

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