Verlander’s SF Giants debut spoiled by first loss of season

CINCINNATI — Justin Verlander would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he retired tomorrow. He’s done just about all there is for a starting pitcher to do in this game. Rookie of the Year. MVP. Two World Series titles. Three Cy Young Awards. But there is one major box he’s yet to check: 300 wins.

While improbable since he’s 38 wins away, Verlander showed on Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park that his ambitions aren’t impossible — he tossed five innings of two-run ball with five strikeouts in his Giants debut.