UPDATE: Clark fired from radio job; Verlander calls comments 'moronic.'



Jack Clark has a theory regarding Justin Verlander's drop in velocity this season.

And it's a controversial one.

The former major leaguer, in his first week as a sports talk radio personality, accused the Detroit Tigers pitcher of using performance-enhancing drugs, in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article.

Clarks's main target for PED accusations has been Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, but he took a shot at Verlander.

Verlander signed a $140 million extension with the Tigers in the spring. His average salary over the next seven seasons is $25.7 million.

On the season, Verlander is 12-8 with a 3.74 ERA.

His most recent start, Wednesday against Cleveland, was arguably his best of 2013. Verlander allowed just one earned run over eight innings and struck out seven.



Verlander's fastball even reached 100 mph against Cleveland. He hadn't had more than six strikeouts in a game since June 12, and didn't walk a batter for the first time this season.

— Email Josh Slagter at jslagter@mlive.com. Download the "Detroit Tigers" MLive app (iPhone or Android) for the latest news and updates.



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