Houston Astros fall short in 3-2 loss to Mariners

Jake Meyers hit a three-run homer to highlight Houston’s six-run fourth inning that backed Justin Verlander’s winning start, and the Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 6-3 on Friday night.

Verlander (3-2) struck out nine in six innings to raise his hit total to 3,377, passing Hall of Famer Greg Maddux (3,371) for 10th on the strikeout list in career. He allowed two runs – one earned – on eight hits and didn’t walk a batter for a second straight start and seventh time this year.

After another milestone to add to a long list of them, Verlander wasn’t sure how to feel.

“I feel like I should be more excited, but I feel like I’m a little more introspective and thoughtful,” Verlander said. “You make a lot of sacrifices in this game, a lot of time away from the family, but I love it, so it’s pretty amazing. I don’t know if, as a 21 or 22 year old in professional baseball, I ever thought I’d be in the top 10 in anything. This sport has been around for so long. Hard to express in words, but a lot of thoughts, a lot of thoughts ran through my mind.

When his teammates celebrated after the special outing was over, Verlander allowed himself to reflect on the meaning.

Verlander remembers his first strikeout and he recalls one against Hall of Fame slugger Frank Thomas here at the Coliseum – and the pitcher wears number 35 because of Thomas.

“I have a lot of good memories here,” he said.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay, a former Oakland outfielder, witnessed some of these events.

“He’s just tough. He’s a Hall of Fame pitcher. He knows his game plan and he executes it very well,” Kotsay said. “He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.”

Yordan Alvarez added an RBI double and Josh Hader finished the 2-hour, 31-minute game with his seventh save for the Astros, who began a seven-game road trip.

After right-hander Ross Stripling (1-9) retired the first nine Houston batters in order, Jose Altuve singled to start the fourth for the first of four consecutive hits, including D’s two-run single. ‘Alex Bregman.

The A’s drew an announced crowd of 9,676 for the series opener after winning two of three against Colorado following an eight-game losing streak.

Miguel Andujar came off the injured list and immediately hit an RBI single in the opener against Verlander and finished with three hits in his A’s and season debut – including another run-scoring single in the seventh .

Andjuar’s RBI marked the first time the A’s scored first in 18 games, ending the longest streak in franchise history. Cleaning up the bat, he also singled in the third.

Astros left fielder Chas McCormick robbed Max Schuemann of an extra base hit when he crashed into the wall to make a nice catch in the bottom of the eighth.

“It was a big play right now,” manager Joe Espada said.

TRAINERS ROOM

Astros: RHP José Urquidy has been removed from his early rehabilitation with Triple-A Sugar Land due to right forearm discomfort. He has been on the injured list with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. … 1B Jose Abreu is expected to rejoin the club Monday in Seattle after playing at least two games with Triple-A Sugar Land as he works to get his hitting rhythm back.

Athletics: Andujar was out the entire season after undergoing meniscus surgery on his right knee. He was claimed off waivers from the Pirates on November 6. Oakland created roster room by offering INF Brett Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas.

FOLLOWING

RHP Spencer Arrighetti (2-4, 7.16 ERA) pitches for the Astros in the middle of the game against A’s LHP JP Sears (3-3, 4.31).