Houston Astros’ Justin Verlander (40) was happy to face his former teammate Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera (40).
Verlander pitched five innings of two-hit ball, walking two and striking out seven in a no-decision against Detroit at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Monday (Aug. 28). Houston went on to win 17-4.
Verlander, who signed a two-year, $86 million contract with the Mets this offseason, was traded back to Houston less than a year after coming to the Mets as the team underperformed expectations. After going 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 16 games (94 1/3 innings) with the Mets, Verlander is now 4-1 with a 2.79 ERA in five games (29 innings) with Houston.
Verlander gave up five runs on four hits and five walks on the day, but his command was outstanding, especially his seven strikeouts, which allowed him to retire batters whenever he needed to. He threw 98 pitches, including a four-seam (57), slider (20), curve (17), and changeup (4). His fastball reached 96.5 miles per hour (155.3 km/h).
The game also featured what could be the last time that Verlander and Miguel Cabrera will face each other. Cabrera and Verlander exchanged pleasantries and salutes before the game. In the two-hitter, Verlander struck out Cabrera on both occasions, but Cabrera hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning after Verlander left the game. It was his third home run of the season. “An MVP winner, an old teammate, a Hall of Fame candidate, and perhaps the best hitter and pitcher of his generation,” MLB.com wrote of the encounter.
“It’s pretty cool that we were able to say hello before he retired,” said Verlander. I love him, and I really respect him. I’m glad coach A.J. Hinch put him in the lineup. I’m thankful that we were able to have this moment,” he said of facing Cabrera.
On Cabrera’s home run, Verlander said, “Obviously, in the clubhouse, I was cheering for my teammates. But it’s always special to be a witness to a piece of history. And every time Miggy (Cabrera’s nickname) gets a hit or a home run, it’s a moment in history,” he said of Cabrera’s home run.바카라사이트
Verlander, who played for Detroit from 2005 to 2017, is 254-139 with a 3.23 ERA in 503 career major league games (3286⅓ innings). He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2011, 2019, and 2022 and was the American League MVP in 2011.
Cabrera moved to Detroit in 2008 and has been there ever since. In 2,776 major league games, Cabrera has a career batting average of .277 (3151-for-10276) with 510 home runs, 1871 RBIs, and a .902 OPS. He was the American League MVP in 2012 and 2013 and won the Triple Crown in 2012.
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