SOUR GRAPES
What's really behind NY media smearing Astros ace out the door
Aug 15, 2023, 7:04 pm
SOUR GRAPES

The New York Post published a piece recently about Justin Verlander's time with the New York Mets. The article had some quotes from an anonymous source saying some felt that Verlander acted like a “diva” and wasn't making a big enough effort to be part of the team.
It was also reported that JV felt like the Mets' analytics department, wasn't quite on the same level as the Astros. (Sounds like Verlander was just telling the truth).
The article also suggested that there was some occasional “discord” between Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. But with nobody willing to put their name on any of these quotes, it sure sounds like sour grapes from the NY media with Justin heading back to Houston.
Verlander addressed the report on social media a few days later, taking the high road:
pic.twitter.com/hhD8mN9vOk
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) August 14, 2023
So what should we read into this report? If there is any beef between JV and Scherzer, it should be a fun rivalry to watch with the Rangers and Astros competing down the stretch for the AL West crown.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion!
Catch our Astros podcast Stone Cold 'Stros every Monday on YouTube!
And listen to ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM for Houston's best sports talk.
Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.
