Astros waste a gem by Verlander
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 2 hits from the 2-1 loss
After turning around a disappointing week last week by starting this one with a three-game winning streak, Houston was looking to lock up a four-game series win by taking game three on Wednesday night. Justin Verlander was on the mound against his former team. Here is a recap of the game:
Final Score: Tigers 2, Astros 1.
Record: 81-47, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Buck Farmer (4-4, 3.74 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Justin Verlander (15-5, 2.77 ERA).
1) Verlander dominates his former team in a complete game, still gets the loss
Justin Verlander started Wednesday's night game perfectly, getting through the first four and two-thirds innings by retiring the first fourteen batters he faced in order. The first hit and baserunner he allowed came on a two-out solo home run in the top of the fifth, which put Detroit ahead 1-0.
After the offense was only able to provide him with a tying run, Verlander would continue on the mound through the ninth inning. However, in the top of the ninth, he would allow a go-ahead solo home run to start the inning, putting the Tigers up 2-1 and unfortunately giving him the loss. Verlander's final line: 9 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, 2 HR.
.@JustinVerlander becomes just 5th pitcher ever to have a 10+ K streak of at least 7 games. pic.twitter.com/ocrGh4LlPH
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 22, 2019
2) Astros get a solo home run by Chirinos, but nothing more
After being shutout through the first six innings while Verlander dealt on the mound, Houston was finally able to get on the board thanks to a solo home run by Robinson Chirinos to lead off the bottom of the seventh. After Detroit went ahead in the top of the ninth before Verlander completed the inning and nine innings, it was up to the offense to try and tie or walk it off. They would, unfortunately, come up empty, wasting a gem by Verlander and losing the game.
Up Next: The Astros will wrap up this four-game series with the Tigers on Thursday night with the finale scheduled for another 7:10 PM start. After being scratched from his last start, Gerrit Cole (14-5, 2.87 ERA) is expected to return to the mound for Houston as he goes opposite of Jordan Zimmerman (1-8, 6.66 ERA) for Detroit.
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
