Mar 2, 2017 2 min read

Pittsburgh’s Jordy Mercer hit a grand slam in a seven-run third inning, and Francisco Cervelli and Jose Osuna homered off Justin Verlander, powering Pittsburgh to an 11-1 win Thursday afternoon at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Verlander, making his second start, retired the top of the Pirates’ lineup in order in the first inning before Cervelli pounced on a first-pitch fastball leading off the second, driving it to the porch atop the left-field berm for his first RBI of the Grapefruit League.

“I’m not concerned with results right now,” Verlander told MLB.com. “I’m concerned with results of my pitches. I’m not concerned with the results of what those guys do with the ball once it’s put in play.”

Josh Harrison pushed Verlander to his pitch count for the day with a 10-pitch walk leading off the third. Andrew McCutchen’s singled and Cervelli walked to load the bases on Chad Bell before Mercer sent a drive to the berm in the left-field corner for his first four RBI this spring.

Verlander gave up three runs, three hits and two walks over two innings.

Justin Upton hit a solo shot for the Tigers.

Jung Ho Kang, the starting third baseman for the Pirates, received a suspended sentence for driving under the influence. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cited a report in the Yonhap News Agency Thursday.

Kang’s sentence is reportedly suspended for two years.

Kang has not been in spring training because of the trial. The incident could affect his ability to secure a visa to enter the United States.

Major League Baseball has not indicated whether Kang will face sanctions or suspension.