Verlander takes shutout into 9th as Astros top skidding Mariners 5-1 in key AL West matchup
September 26, 2023 -SEATTLE (AP) — Justin Verlander took a two-hit shutout into the ninth inning and the Houston Astros created some cushion in the American League playoff chase with a 5-1 win over the skidding Seattle Mariners on Monday night.
The 40-year-old Verlander was on the verge of his first complete game since a 2019 no-hitter against Toronto, but was pulled after Josh Rojas’ leadoff double in the ninth inning snapped a string of 16 straight batters retired.
Verlander (12-8) struck out eight, walked one and threw 96 pitches as Houston stayed 2 1/2 games behind first-place Texas in the AL West and opened a 1 1/2-game lead over the Mariners for the league’s final wild card. The Astros were swept in three games at home by lowly Kansas City over the weekend.
