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.
Debate over tight end value hovers over Brock Bowers' draft prospects
German students experience traditional tea culture in China
DR ELLIE CANNON: Are the drugs I'm taking to blame for my hip pain?
Michael Busch homers in his 4th straight game to power the Cubs past the Mariners 3
BP defeated thousands of suits by sick Gulf spill cleanup workers. But not one by a boat captain
OJ Simpson's brain will not be donated for CTE research, family spokesperson says
Netflix fans go wild over 'must watch' new drama and say they 'need' a second season 'right now'
Digital Silk Road development enables connectivity, prosperity
Monster Georgia father is sentenced to 50 years in prison for poisoning his 18
Jake Gyllenhaal's Apple TV+ miniseries Presumed Innocent tops high
Confucius Institute in Nepal lauded during 1st inaugural anniversary