H-TOWN'S BEST
Astros' Justin Verlander is flying up all-time rankings of Houston athletes
Oct 5, 2022, 4:30 pm
Where does Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander rank among all time Houston athletes?
Justin Verlander had Tommy John surgery in 2020. But at age 39, he may have put together his best career season, leading the American League with 18 wins and a 1.75 ERA, the best mark in the AL since Pedro Martinez in 2000.
He's a lock to win the AL Cy Young Award, which would be his second in Houston. He also helped the Astros win a World Series and go to another. So where does he rank all time among Houston athletes?
Paul's rankings... 1. Hakeem Olajuwon 2. Jose Altuve 3. Justin Verlander 4. Moses Malone 5. J.J. Watt 6. Earl Campbell 7. Nolan Ryan 8. Jeff Bagwell 9. Craig Biggio 10. Andre Johnson
That's right. No James Harden. Fight me.
Check out the video above to watch the full conversation.
Listen live to the Paul Gallant Show every weekday 10 - noon CT on ESPN 97.5 & 92.5 Houston.
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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.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.