Field Level Media
Sep 10, 2018
Justin Verlander struck out 10 in a triumphant return to Comerica Park and the Houston Astros held on for a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.
The longtime Tigers ace was making his first start at his former home park since he was traded last season. He gave up two runs on six hits while walking one in seven innings.
Verlander (15-9) faced his former club for the first time at Houston on July 15. He allowed four homers in a 6-3 loss just before the All-Star break.
Tyler White led Houston's offense with two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Marwin Gonzalez also drove in a run for the Astros.
Roberto Osuna recorded his seventh save since Houston acquired him from Toronto.
Nicholas Castellanos and Dawel Lugo drove in the Detroit runs. Francisco Liriano (4-10) gave up three unearned runs in six innings while recording seven strikeouts.
Verlander gave up a two-out double to Castellanos in the first but retired cleanup hitter Victor Martinez on a popup. The Tigers pushed across a run in the second on Lugo's one-out RBI single. Niko Goodrum led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a Ronny Rodriguez infield hit. A line drive double play allowed Verlander to escape further damage.
Houston scored three unearned runs in the third. George Springer drew a one-out walk and reached second on shortstop Rodriguez's fielding error. A fielder's choice put runners on the corners and Springer scored on a wild pitch.
White's RBI single put Houston on top. After an infield hit, Gonzalez drove in the third run with another single.
The Tigers pulled within a run in the sixth. Jeimer Candelario led off the inning with a walk and moved to third when Christin Stewart, making his major-league debut, lined a single past second baseman Jose Altuve. Castellanos' sacrifice fly made it 3-2.
Detroit had a threat going in the seventh when James McCann slapped a one-out single and third baseman Alex Bregman made a throwing error on Lugo's grounder. Verlander then reared back and struck out JaCoby Jones and Candelario swinging.
--Field Level Media