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 50 of 78 pitches for strikes in his 258th win.
“He looked really good,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Efficient, threw a ton of strikes.”
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.
For the world's largest democratic exercise, one village's polling officers are all women
Xinjiang Sees Record Tourist Arrivals As Security Improves: Regional Chair
Pasquantino, Melendez homer as Royals win 9
High School Students Recreate Masterpiece on Classroom Walls
Flame for Hangzhou Asian Para Games Lit in Guangzhou
4th Asian Para Games Opens in Hangzhou, E China
Europe discards Arsenal and Liverpool shift focus to EPL title race
Small Chinese Town Goes Big with Magic of Animation
Teyana Taylor, 33, breaks her silence on those rumours she is romancing her co
'Spring Bud Gas Station' Project Wins Award at 2023 IFENG Action League Ceremony