Astros complete the sweep of the Mariners
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 2 hits from the 3-1 win
Aug 4, 2019, 4:08 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
After the four-pitcher combined no-hitter the day before secured them the series win, Houston sent Justin Verlander to the mound to complete the clean sweep. Here is a rundown of the series finale with the Mariners:
Final Score: Astros 3, Mariners 1.
Record: 73-40, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Justin Verlander (15-4, 2.68 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Tommy Milone (1-6, 4.33 ERA).
1) Just another day at the office for Verlander
While he didn't throw a no-hitter like his four teammates did the day before, it was another typically terrific day for Justin Verlander. He did not allow a hit until the fourth inning, which was Seattle's first hit since Friday night's game. He also allowed a two-out triple in the top of the fifth but would strand that runner as well.
Along the way, Verlander recorded yet another double-digit strikeout game, surpassing 200 on the season to join his teammate Gerrit Cole as the only pitchers in the league to accomplish that so far in 2019. Seattle did tag him with a run, a solo shot to lead off the seventh.
That would do it for him in this start, as he was sitting with 98 pitches after that home run. Verlander's final line: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 1 HR.
There are two pitchers in baseball with 200+ Ks this season.
They're both on the @Astros. #TipOfTheCap pic.twitter.com/vu1VsPsWn4
— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2019
2) Finishing the sweep
Along the way, Houston's offense had gotten two runs of support for Verlander. The first came in the bottom of the fourth after Alex Bregman led the inning off with a single, moved to third on a Jose Altuve double, then scored on an RBI-single by Carlos Correa. Bregman would come around to score again in the sixth; he hit a one-out double before moving to third on a wild pitch then scoring on a sacrifice fly by Yordan Alvarez to extend the lead to 2-0.
With Verlander's day over after the solo home run to start the seventh to cut the lead to 2-1, Joe Smith came in from the bullpen and worked around a one-out single to maintain the one-run advantage. Houston pushed it back to two runs in the bottom half of the inning, getting a one-out single by Jake Marisnick who stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Reddick, making it 3-1.
Will Harris was next out of the bullpen to take over in the eighth, and he recorded a 1-2-3 inning. Roberto Osuna came in to close things out in the ninth and did so with a scoreless inning. The win completed the sweep, gave Houston five straight series wins, and made them winners in fourteen of their last seventeen games.
Up Next: Houston will get a day off tomorrow at home before starting a two-game series with the Rockies at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday night. The first of the two games will begin at 7:10 PM and will be the debut of Zack Greinke (10-4, 2.90 ERA) for the Astros. The Rockies are expected to counter with German Marquez (10-5, 4.68 ERA).
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
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The Astros look to keep their momentum rolling at home Tuesday night as they continue their series with the Boston Red Sox in a matchup that carries weight in both leagues’ playoff races. Houston has quietly built a three-game win streak at Daikin Park, finding ways to win tight games and generate timely offense. They’ll aim to make it four behind rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, who’s still searching for consistent rhythm at the big-league level but will have the crowd at his back.
Arrighetti (1-2, 7.43 ERA) draws a challenge in a Boston lineup that’s had the upper hand in the season series, winning three of four meetings so far. The Red Sox counter with right-hander Dustin May, whose results have been streaky but who has shown flashes of dominance when his command is on.
Houston’s offense once again leans on Jose Altuve, who has 21 home runs and 63 RBIs, while Christian Walker has heated up with extra-base power over the last 10 games. For Boston, Trevor Story leads the charge with 73 RBIs, and Romy Gonzalez has been one of the American League’s hottest hitters in August.
The Astros’ winning formula this season has been simple — keep the ball in the yard. They’re 31-7 in games where they haven’t allowed a home run. The Red Sox follow their own blueprint, becoming almost impossible to beat when their bats come alive, posting a 42-12 record when scoring five or more runs.
With Houston clinging to a slim AL West lead (1 game) and Boston looking to keep pace in the AL East, Tuesday’s contest has all the makings of another charged night under the lights, where every pitch could shift the October picture.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -117, Red Sox -103; over/under is 8 1/2 runs.
Injury updates and roster moves
Astros closer Josh Hader is heading to the 15-day IL with a left shoulder strain. RHP Shawn Dubin has been reinstated from the 15-day IL. LHP Colton Gordon has been recalled from Triple A and RHP Hector Neris has been designated for assignment.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/GFi4o7UKnp
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 12, 2025
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart shared some more updates in the post below
Some updates from Espada:
- No word on the severity of Hader’s injury.
- Garcia will start in Sugar Land tomorrow and McCullers on Friday.
- Alvarez hit on the field today in Florida today and could take live BP this weekend.
- Meyers is getting close to getting into games…
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 12, 2025
Astros lineup takeaways
Super lineup.
⚾️: 7:10pm
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN | SCHN2
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/JCIUuNCavx
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 12, 2025
The top 3 in the lineup remains the same, with Pena (SS) leading off, followed by Correa (3B), and Altuve (DH). Jesus Sanchez will hit cleanup and play right field, with Christian Walker now in the 5-spot playing first base. Yainer Diaz will hit sixth and catch, with Taylor Trammell batting seventh and playing left. Ramon Urias (2B) is back in the lineup after a huge game on Monday night, he'll hit eighth. Finally, Jacob Melton returns hitting ninth and playing center field.
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