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SPORTS Tuesday 29 May 2018

Verlander stops Yanks again, pitches Astros to 5-1 win

By BEN WALKER earned runs.
AP Baseball Writer “You know you’re up
NEW YORK (AP) — Justin against one of the game’s
Verlander tamed the New best,” Yankees manager
York Yankees, then toyed Aaron Boone said. “That
with their fans. said, I know we’re always
Verlander slowed down in it. Even felt that way to-
the highest-scoring team day.”
in the majors, picking off a For all the heat Verlander
familiar opponent by pitch- brought to the plate, the
ing the Houston Astros past best toss he made might’ve
New York 5-1 Monday. been a throw in the oppo-
“I’ve had some success site direction. The Astros led
against them in the past,” 3-0 when the Yankees put
he said. “Every day is a new runners at first and second
day, especially going up with two outs in the second.
against a lineup like that.” With Miguel Andujar at the
Facing the only club in plate, Verlander pivoted
baseball that hasn’t been and picked rookie Gleyber
shut out this season, Ver- Torres off second base to
lander (7-2) blanked the escape.
Yankees until Greg Bird hit “To be able to steal outs,”
a leadoff home run in the Verlander said, “those are
seventh. game-changers.”
When he left later in the in- Davis hit his first homer of
ning with a major league- Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws during the first inning of a baseball game the season, connecting
best 1.11 ERA, Verlander against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium Monday, May 28, 2018, in New York. in the second off Domin-
got a cheer from a solid Associated Press go German (0-3). Altuve,
contingent of Astros fans Verlander said he was sur- had a solo drive, helping ship Series last October, whose team-record run of
wearing bright orange prised — he seemed disap- Houston win for the sixth going 2-0 and limiting New 10 straight hits ended Sun-
behind the dugout — but pointed, in fact — that he time in eight games. York to one run in 16 innings day, added his fourth in the
even louder jeers from the didn’t draw more catcalls Closer Ken Giles, tagged while striking out 21. eighth.
local fans. when his name was an- Sunday as the Astros blew Earlier this month, Verland- ADVENTURESOME AFTER-
Verlander enjoyed the mo- nounced in pregame intro- a five-run lead in the ninth er pitched eight shutout in- NOON
ment, taking off his cap ductions. at Cleveland, pitched the nings against the Yankees Torres has been swinging
and waving it toward the “I’ve come to find here at final inning and worked and fanned 14. This time, a sizzling bat, and Boone
Bronx boobirds. Yankee Stadium it’s a term around a leadoff single. Verlander allowed five hits moved him up to fifth, his
“Just having fun,” he said. of endearment,” Verlander Verlander has dominated in 6 2/3 innings, fanning five highest spot in the lineup
“Yankees fans having fun said. “So, thank you.” the Yankees in his most re- without a walk. yet. The 21-year-old new-
with me, so I decided to J.D. Davis hit an early three- cent outings. He was the In 12 starts this year, the big comer singled off Verland-
have some fun back.” run homer and Jose Altuve MVP of the AL Champion- righty has permitted only 10 er, but got picked off.q

Red Sox star Betts out second

straight day, tightness left side

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox days. If everything is going tendi listed as the leadoff
star outfielder Mookie Betts this way, there’s no need to hitter for the second con-
is out of the lineup for the push him. Makes no sense.” secutive day, but changed
second straight game be- Betts was a late scratch things defensively from
cause of tightness on his Sunday after feeling the Sunday by inserting Brock
left side. “We do feel that pain during batting prac- Holt in Betts’ usual spot in
probably tomorrow might tice. The 25-year-old is off right field.
be a day that he will come to a splendid start this sea- Earlier this month, Betts had
back,” manager Alex Cora son. Entering Monday, he his second three-homer
said Monday morning be- leads the majors with a .359 game of the season, giving Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts celebrates with J.D. Martinez (28)
fore Boston’s series opener batting average and is tied him four in his career, which after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning of an inter-
against Toronto at Fenway with the Angels’ Mike Trout moved him ahead of Hall league baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway
Park. “I prefer to stay away with 17 homers. of Famer Ted Williams for Park, Friday, May 25, 2018, in Boston.
from him for probably two Cora had Andrew Benin- most in club history.q Associated Press