Justin Verlander was seen getting very emotional pregame on Monday night, as the Detroit Tigers paid tribute to him with a special video package on the scoreboard in left field. After receiving a standing ovation while taking the mound in the first inning for the first time at Comerica Park since getting traded from Detroit, Verlander got revenge on his former team from earlier this season, leading the Houston Astros to a 3-2 victory on the road.
The right-hander struck out 10 over seven innings of work to earn his 15th win of the season, and first against his former team, who beat him at Minute Maid Park earlier this season. The ace made his debut with the Tigers in 2005 and was traded away in August of 2017, as he went on to win his first World Series last year with Houston.
The lowly Tigers drew a crowd of 19,711 to see the return of Verlander, on the same night that the Detroit Lions opened their season against the New York Jets across the street.
The win for the Astros gives them a three-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the AL West Division, as they're coming off a series win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park over the weekend. That series did not end well though, as Mitch Moreland sent the Red Sox to a walk-off victory on Sunday night.
Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and a walk, improving to 98-50 in his career at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer ranks behind Verlander with 46 wins there, while Jordan Zimmerman leads current Tigers with just 14 of them. Roberto Osuna worked the ninth inning to earn his 16th save of the year, and seventh since coming over from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Francisco Liriano was also facing his former team, as he earned a World Series ring last season with the Astros. He suffered his 10th loss of the year on Monday after giving up three runs on four hits over six innings. These two teams will play two more times in the Motor City, including on Tuesday night.
The right-hander struck out 10 over seven innings of work to earn his 15th win of the season, and first against his former team, who beat him at Minute Maid Park earlier this season. The ace made his debut with the Tigers in 2005 and was traded away in August of 2017, as he went on to win his first World Series last year with Houston.
The lowly Tigers drew a crowd of 19,711 to see the return of Verlander, on the same night that the Detroit Lions opened their season against the New York Jets across the street.
The win for the Astros gives them a three-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the AL West Division, as they're coming off a series win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park over the weekend. That series did not end well though, as Mitch Moreland sent the Red Sox to a walk-off victory on Sunday night.
Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and a walk, improving to 98-50 in his career at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer ranks behind Verlander with 46 wins there, while Jordan Zimmerman leads current Tigers with just 14 of them. Roberto Osuna worked the ninth inning to earn his 16th save of the year, and seventh since coming over from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Francisco Liriano was also facing his former team, as he earned a World Series ring last season with the Astros. He suffered his 10th loss of the year on Monday after giving up three runs on four hits over six innings. These two teams will play two more times in the Motor City, including on Tuesday night.
