04/19/24 08:58:00
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04/19 20:56 CDT Justin Verlander allows 2 runs over 6 innings in season debut
for Astros in 5-3 win over Nats
Justin Verlander allows 2 runs over 6 innings in season debut for Astros in 5-3
win over Nats
BY BYRON KERR
WASHINGTON (AP) --- Justin Verlander allowed two runs and four hits over six
innings to win his season debut for the Houston Astros, 5-3 over the Washington
Nationals on Friday night.
The 41-year-old right-hander, who began the season on the injured list because
of right shoulder inflammation, struck out four and walked none, throwing 59 of
78 pitches for strikes in his 258th win.
Verlander (1-0) averaged 94.3 mph with 35 four-seam fastballs and induced five
groundouts. The nine-time All-Star retired the side in order four times and
improved to 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA in five regular-season starts against the
Nationals.
Ildemaro Vargas hit an RBI single in the third and Riley Adams homered in the
fourth, cutting Washington's deficit to 4-2.
Verlander had made a pair of minor league injury rehabilitation starts.
He retired his first eight batters before Adams doubled off the base of the
wall in right-center field.
Verlander was 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA last year for the New York Mets and Houston,
who acquired him ahead of the trade deadline.
Josh Hader allowed Jesse Winker's sacrifice fly in the ninth and got his second
save, striking out his final two batters.
Houston (7-14) stole five bases and stopped a three-game losing streak. Jeremy
Pea and Mauricio Dubn had three hits each, Yainer Diaz doubled twice, and
Kyle Tucker doubled, singled, walked twice and stole two bases.
Washington manager Dave Martinez was ejected by plate umpire Cory Blaser for
arguing a caught stealing call against Vargas that ended the eighth. The
Nationals are celebrating the fifth anniversary of their 2019 World Series win
over Houston in seven games.
MacKenzie Gore (2-1) allowed three runs and seven hits in four innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Espada says LHP Framber Valdez played catch Friday and felt well. Espada
expects Valdez to throw a bullpen session of 30-40 pitches this weekend,
UP NEXT
RHP Ronel Blanco (2-0, 0.86) starts Saturday for Houston against RHP Trevor
Williams (2-0, 3.45).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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