SAN FRANCISCO -- Justin Verlander wasted no time.

The Giants right-hander entered Tuesday night one strikeout away from passing Walter Johnson for sole possession of ninth place on the all-time strikeout list. Verlander got there on the second batter he faced against the Cubs at Oracle Park.

After falling behind 2-1 in the count against Kyle Tucker -- spiking a slider in the process -- the 20-year veteran went into attack mode. He fired off a slider and a changeup in the strike zone. Tucker whiffed on each for Verlander’s milestone 3,516th career punchout.

Verlander, 42, is within reach of rising to eighth place this season, too. Gaylord Perry is that target, with 3,534 strikeouts. Don Sutton would present more of a challenge at seventh place with his 3,574 career strikeouts.

The Blu

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