Verlander leads Astros over Diamondbacks as each groups clinch post-season spots
PHOENIX (AP) — The Houston Astros received. The Arizona Diamondbacks misplaced.
However everyone left Chase Area on Saturday night time with a ticket to the postseason.
Justin Verlander threw 5 innings, José Abreu hit a run-scoring double and the Astros beat the Diamondbacks 1-0 as each groups clinched spots within the upcoming playoffs.
Houston will get an opportunity to defend its World Collection title after combating by a good American League wild-card race for the previous a number of weeks. The Astros nonetheless have loads to play for Sunday — they might clinch the AL West and a first-round bye with a win on Sunday and a Texas loss.
The Diamondbacks return to the postseason for the primary time since 2017, backing into the bracket with the Reds’ 15-6 loss at St. Louis. Arizona’s seeding might nonetheless change relying on Sunday’s outcomes, which additionally might decide whether or not the Marlins must fly again to New York on Monday to complete a suspended sport with the Mets.
The D-backs certified for the playoffs simply two years after a brutal 52-110 season.
The Astros received on Saturday after a number of clutch moments within the last innings.
Hector Neris obtained a pair of essential outs within the seventh. He entered with the bases loaded and one out however struck out Ketel Marte on three pitches and coaxed a weak groundout from Tommy Pham. Shortstop Jeremy Peña made a slick defensive play within the eighth, turning a double play on a tricky hop on a hard-hit ball by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
The Astros obtained two extra stable defensive performs within the ninth when catcher Martin Maldonado threw Jake McCarthy out on an tried steal. Third baseman Alex Bregman obtained the second out after charging a sluggish curler and making a powerful throw to first.
Bryan Abreu then walked Geraldo Perdomo and struck out Corbin Carroll. It was Bryan Abreu’s fifth save of the season.
José Abreu introduced dwelling the sport’s lone run with a double off the center-field wall, making it 1-0 within the fourth. Abreu was additionally the offensive hero on Friday night time after hitting a two-run double to just about the identical spot in 2-1 win.
Verlander (13-8) helped the Astros to World Collection wins in 2017 and 2022 however signed as a free agent with the New York Mets throughout the offseason. After a disappointing few months, the Mets traded the three-time Cy Younger Award winner again to the Astros on the commerce deadline.
He offered one other good outing Saturday, giving up two hits and three walks whereas hanging out 5.
Arizona’s Merrill Kelly (12-8) went seven innings, giving up 5 hits and two walks whereas hanging out 5.
VERLANDER TIES NIEKRO
The 40-year-old Verlander tied Phil Niekro for twelfth on the profession strikeouts checklist, catching Carroll trying within the fifth.
Verlander and Niekro each have 3,342 strikeouts, although Verlander wanted roughly 2,000 much less innings to achieve that mark.
SPEEDY TUCKER
Houston’s Kyle Tucker is one homer from becoming a member of the 30-30 membership this season after stealing his thirtieth base of the season within the fourth. He additionally has 29 homers and 111 RBIs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: RHP J.P. France was again on the ballpark sooner or later after he was scratched from Friday’s begin due to a household emergency. France informed reporters that he was accessible out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
The groups wrap up the common season on Sunday.
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