Astros waste a gem by Verlander
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 2 hits from the 2-1 loss
Aug 21, 2019, 9:24 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
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.
Baltimore rookie right-hander Brandon Young lost his bid for the first perfect game in Orioles history with four outs remaining Friday night in a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros.
Young retired the first 23 batters he faced, only to have his shot at history end on slow grounder to the third base side by Houston second baseman Ramon Urìas.
With two outs in the eighth inning, Urìas, facing the Orioles for the first time since being traded last month, hit a 56 mph grounder between the mound and third base line. Young fielded the ball, but his off-balanced throw sailed wide of first base. Urías was awarded an infield single.
Young struck out the next batter to end the eighth. His eight innings pitched were a career high, and he matched his career best with six strikeouts
A native of Lumberton, Texas, less than 100 miles northeast of Houston, Young entered the game 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA through the first 10 starts of his big league career.
Yaramil Hiraldo retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the Orioles first one-hitter since May 24, 2024.
Astros starter Framber Valdez (11-6) kept the Orioles in check until the fourth when Colby Mayo hit a two-out, solo home run.
Baltimore added to the lead in the fifth after loading the bases. With one-out, Gunnar Henderson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and a second run scored on the play when Jésus Sánchez’s throw got past catcher Yainer Diaz.
After Henderson brought home a run in seventh, Dylan Carlson capped a three-run eighth inning with a two-run homer to give the Orioles a 7-0 lead.
Valdez allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Astros’ lead over Seattle in the AL West slipped to a half-game.
Key moment
Urias’ infield single with two outs in the eighth inning to break up Young’s bid for a perfect game.
Key stat
John Means threw the Orioles last no-hitter on May 5, 2021.
Up next
Houston RHP Jason Alexander (3-1, 5.02 ERA) opposes LHP Cade Povich (2-6, 4.95) Saturday.