Justin Verlander allowed three runs in six innings to secure his 262nd win, leading the AL West champion Houston Astros to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night.
Verlander (5-6) gave up seven hits and struck out five without issuing a walk. This was his second win in three starts, and he lowered his ERA to 5.48. It was also his longest outing since May 29, after missing two months due to neck issues.
“I worked hard for this, and it was probably the best I’ve felt since coming back,” said the likely Hall of Famer. “I’m realistic. I know I haven’t been as sharp as I need to be, but I feel like I’m inching in the right direction.”
José Ramírez hit his 39th homer and drove in three runs for the AL Central champion Guardians. He is now just one home run away from becoming the seventh player in MLB history to achieve 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season, having already stolen 41 bases this year.
“Ramírez is such an incredible hitter, you’ve got to tip your hat to him,” Verlander said. He has a record of 24-24 with a 4.42 ERA in 57 career starts against Cleveland. “It wasn’t a bad pitch, and he hit it out. It’s impressive.”
The loss for the Guardians secured home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs for the New York Yankees, who fell to the Pirates 9-4. Both teams have first-round byes.
Shawn Dubin closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning for his second save. The Astros will host either the Detroit Tigers or Kansas City Royals in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series starting Tuesday.
At 41 years old, Verlander ranks 40th in career victories and is likely to be part of the rotation if he makes Houston’s postseason roster, according to manager Joe Espada.
“There was a real intention there tonight to show he can really deliver — and he did,” Espada said. “He threw the ball really, really well and even reached 97 mph against Ramírez.”
