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Justin Verlander Passes Bob Gibson in All-Time Strikeouts as Astros Thump A's
Justin Verlander continued to be a top starting pitcher in Major League Baseball on Saturday. Returning from Tommy John surgery in his 17th major league season, the 39-year-old tossed his 13th quality start on the year in the Houston Astros' 5-0 win over the Oakland A's.
On eight-days rest, Verlander was vintage. The righty punched out 10 batters to the six hits he allowed. Those 10 strikeouts totaled 3118 on his career — 14th best in Major League Baseball history as the veteran passed Hall of Famer Bob Gibson and Curt Schilling on the all-time list.
Verlander collected his league-leading 12th win of the season Saturday as he became the first pitcher before the All-Star break to win 12 or more games with an above .800 win percentage and possess a sub-2.00 ERA, a sub-.200 opponent batting average, a sub-0.90 WHIP and a strikeout-to-walk ratio above 5.00, per Stats by STATS.
Verlander's day was through after 106 pitches. Relievers Phil Maton, Héctor Neris and Bryan Abreu combined for three-scoreless innings with an extra six strikeouts to the Astros' Saturday total.
After Saturday's outing, Verlander will be unavailable to pitch in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Major League Baseball announced Sunday Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks and Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano replaced Verlander and New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole on the American League roster.
Houston Astros Catcher Martín Maldonado
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While calling a shutout, Martín Maldonado also provided the fireworks offensively. The right-hander stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in the second inning. Yuli Gurriel, Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick all reached base after the first two outs were retired.
On a 1-0 count, Maldonado tanked a center-cut, hanging slider from Jared Koening to center field. The grand slam marked the Astros' fourth of the season, Maldonado's third of his career and the continued offensive success from the righty in July.
Maldonado is 11-for-37 on the month with four home runs and 10 RBI from the bottom of the order. While halfway through July, the 35-year-old is displaying his strongest offensive split of the season.
McCormick provided an insurance run in the fourth with an RBI-single which scored Aledmys Díaz from third. The Astros' bats totaled only six hits — one less than the A's who were scoreless.
José Altuve also returned to the lineup in the leadoff spot Saturday. As the designated hitter, the righty went 1-for-4 with a strikeout. Manager Dusty Baker said Altuve was moving "good, not great" but could play second base Sunday, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle.
The Astros close out the first half of the season at 1:10 p.m. Sunday with Jack Odorizzi on the hill.
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