Justin Verlander on Monday took a shutout into the ninth inning, allowing just three hits, and worked out of the one jam he faced as the Houston Astros created some cushion in the American League playoff chase with a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.
In a season where he said nothing has come easy, Verlander picked the right moment to once again look like the ace he has been for most of his career.
It was perfect timing for Verlander and perfect timing for the Astros.
Photo: AP
Verlander put together a vintage performance befitting his status as one of the top right-handers in the MLB for most of his career. He was on the verge of his first complete game since 2019 when he no-hit the Toronto Blue Jays, but manager Dusty Baker pulled him after Josh Rojas led off the ninth inning with a double.
Nevertheless, Verlander did his part with an effort Houston needed after being swept at home over the weekend by the Kansas City Royals.
The Astros extended their lead to 1.5 games over Seattle for the final AL wild card. Houston also remained 2.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West.
Photo: AFP
“This is just one of those years where nothing has been easy. Maybe catch the right timing here and this can be the start of something, hopefully,” Verlander said.
Rojas’ double snapped Verlander’s string of 16 straight batters retired, but the Astros were well on their way to victory before the string was broken.
Verlander (12-8) struck out eight, walked one and threw 96 pitches.
Photo: AFP
“I was obviously kind of running on fumes a little bit, so appreciate the chance to go out there and get a” complete-game shutout, Verlander said. “It didn’t work out, but that’s all right.”
Seattle lost their fourth straight, falling four games behind Texas in the division.
“All these losses suck right now, but there’s nothing we can do about them. Got to keep our heads up and look at the positive side and get ready for tomorrow,” Seattle shortstop J.P. Crawford said.
Houston did not need much offense, but managed one big two-out rally against Seattle starter Luis Castillo (14-8) that scored three runs in the second inning.
The Astros added on with long solo home runs from Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker for additional cushion.
Alvarez’s homer was his 30th of the season and came leading off the third inning.
Tucker’s homer leading off the sixth gave him 110 RBIs, the most in the AL this season.
Making his first start against Seattle since last year’s AL Division Series, Verlander faced traffic on the bases only once. Seattle loaded the bases with one out in the third inning on singles by Dominic Canzone and Rojas, and a walk to Crawford.
However, Verlander got Julio Rodriguez out in front of a curveball and Seattle’s young All-Star grounded into a double play to end the threat.
“If it turns into a double play, great, which it did, which was huge, but one of the best hitters in baseball in that situation you’re trying to get him out and not let the inning cascade and get away from you,” Verlander said.
Verlander didn’t allow another base runner until Rojas got him in the ninth. Rojas scored on Rodriguez’s sacrifice fly, ending the shutout.
Elsewhere on Monday, it was:
‧ Angels 1, Rangers 5
‧ Giants 2, Padres 1
‧ Yankees 6, Diamondbacks 4
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