Justin Verlander did not have his best outing on Sunday night as Pavin Smith and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Houston Astros 12-6 on Sunday night. Verlander (3-6) gave up eight earned runs, eight hits, and one walk in three innings of work. It seemed like every pitch he threw was out over the plate. Verlander’s outing was not one he’ll be keeping in his Hall of Fame record book.
Smith was the star of the night, slamming three home runs. Smith connected for a three-run homer off Verlander in the third inning, hitting the right-field foul pole. Then, with the bases loaded, Smith sent a Verlander pitch into the Crawford Boxes in left field for a grand slam. He also smacked a solo homer in the fifth inning off Astros reliever Kaleb Ort.
Houston Astros Tried Coming Back
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 21: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in the first inning against Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park on August 21, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)Arizona led 8-0 after three innings and, for the most part, that was the ballgame. The Houston Astros did attempt to get back into the game. Third baseman Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to make it 8-2. The Astros added three more runs in the fifth, closing the gap to 8-5. But the early deficit was just too much to overcome.
Pavin Smith:
2nd inning: 3-run homer
3rd inning: 4-run homer
5th inning: just a lil’ 1-run homer pic.twitter.com/ljpC4jcbtF— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2024
The Diamondbacks were up 11-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Houston loaded the bases with second baseman Jose Altuve, who had two hits on Sunday night, at the plate. But he struck out swinging wildly at a pitch way outside the strike zone. Altuve slammed his bat down after making the out. Also, the Astros’ issues around leaving runners on base cropped up again. They totaled eight LOBs, which usually comes back to haunt any team on the losing end.
Kyle Tucker was back in the lineup as the Astros designated hitter. He went 1-for-2 with two runs scored. Chas McCormick, who has had his troubles at the plate this season, connected for three hits off Arizona pitching. Seeing McCormick connect lately is a positive sign for him entering the home stretch this season.
Astros closer Josh Hader came on to pitch the ninth. He got touched up as Eugenio Suarez smashed a solo home run to left field. The Astros bullpen collectively surrendered four runs, letting the Diamondbacks stay in front all night long.
Diamondbacks Pitchers In Control
Kevin Ginkel (8-3) worked one-third of an inning to pick up the victory in relief. Arizona starter Ryne Nelson went 4 2/3 innings, giving up five earned runs, six hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Nelson had Astros hitters off-balance in the first couple of innings, hitting 97 mph on the gun with his fastball. As he entered the third and fourth innings, Nelson’s velocity decreased a bit. Astros hitters began making solid contact and getting on base.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo took Nelson out of the game with two outs in the fifth inning. Arizona’s bullpen performed well in relief.
Despite the loss, the Astros remain in first place by 4 1/2 games in the American League West Division. The Seattle Mariners picked up a game, though, as they beat St. Louis 10-4 on Sunday afternoon.
Mauricio Dubón remained out of the starting lineup on Sunday. Dubón jammed his left thumb when he slid into first base headfirst during Friday’s game, MLB.com reported. Astros manager Joe Espada wanted to keep Dubón out of Sunday’s game. He factored Monday’s off day into account.
Speaking of which, the Astros will have Monday off before starting a three-game series at Minute Maid Park against the Oakland Athletics.
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