Reds Beat Justin Verlander To Open Astros Series

 

 

Ty France had four hits to lead the Reds to a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros. It was the seventh consecutive win over the 2022 World Champion.

The Reds scored two runs off future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, who walked the first three batters in the first inning. TJ Friedl's sinking line drive was caught by Jason Heyward as Jonathan India scored. Ty France singled home Elly De La Cruz with the Reds' first hit.

Verlander walked just five batters in his last 33 innings coming into the game.

"I was all over the place in that first inning," Verlander said. "The mechanics not good. The location needed to be better. I made some decent pitches that weren't called but it's hard to get pitches when you're all over the place.Those walks are unacceptable."

Reds' starter Julian Aguiar pitched two hitless innings before walking Jason Heward to start the third. Chas McCormick, who was recalled before the game, hit a ground rule double. With one out Yainer Diaz hit a game tying two-run single. 

Aguiar was pitching on three days rest. He was removed after 2 2/3 innings. Sam Moll took his place.

Verlander struck out Friedl to tie his former teammate Max Scherzer for 10th on baseball's all-time strikout list with 3,405.

The veteran pitcher is trying to reach mid season form after missing six weeks.

"I felt the last few innings especially the last couple were a lot better. In the fifth inning it was a tough pill to swallow. I am trying to be realistic with myself, knowing that I was shut down for awhile. It is going to be difficult to be where you want to be. That's what spring training's for to work out kinks. It is hard to do mid season when everyone else is in mid season form and you're not. It's frustrating," Verlander said. "This is like my third spring training. I told him (Espada) I got this guy. I know it wasn't a hard hit ball but still, when you tell your manager you got the guy and he gets a hit it's frustrating. I'm trying not to kick myself while I'm down."

The Reds scored three runs against Verlander in the fifth inning with two outs. Verlander had stranded seven runners in the first four innings, including four in scoring position. 

France's third hit of the game with two outs started the rally. Jake Fraley singled, sending France to third. Fraley stole second. Santiago Espinal dropped a bloop out of reach of Jose Altuve to score two. Espinal stole second and scored on Amed Rosario's second hit of the game.

"He made a good pitch to Espinal and a little flair to right field. He's earned the right to finish that inning. It just didn't go his way," Espada said.

Yordan Alverez hit a ground rule double with Altuve on first to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Emilio Pagan relieved Spiers with Diaz representing the tying run. Diaz flied out to deep center to score Altuve. Jeremy Pena struck out to strand Alvarez stranded.

"We had a shot there in the sixth," Houston manager, Joe Espada said. "We couldn't get a big hit. We have to put this behind us and have an off-day tomorrow, that we're all looking forward to."

Verlander pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks. He struck  out three.

Carson Spiers allowed one run on three hits and three walks to become the pitcher of record. 

Pagan left the game with two outs with and Alvarez due up as the tying run. Justin Wilson got Alvarez to fly out to earn the save.