(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
After the Houston Astros won their second World Series title in franchise history last October, right-hander Justin Verlander departed for the New York Mets.
On Tuesday, Verlander drew the start for the Mets against the Astros at Minute Maid Park, making his return to Houston for the first time since the Fall Classic.
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner battled through some adversity, allowing four runs and scattering eight hits.
However, he managed to strike out five batters and even gave the Mets seven innings without walking a batter.
Houston ultimately won the game by a final score of 4-2.
On Twitter, SNY, the TV home of the Mets, posted a graphic featuring the 40-year-old’s final line from Tuesday’s game.
The final line in Justin Verlander’s return to Houston. pic.twitter.com/KeGMHlnW6I
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 21, 2023
Verlander joined the Mets on a two-year, $86 million contract in the offseason after they had lost Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers.
While his final numbers weren’t exactly pretty, Verlander still gave the Mets a strong performance and helped keep them in the game.
The Mets offense was dormant, however, and was unable to pick up Verlander.
Left-hander Framber Valdez earned the win for the Astros, pitching eight innings and allowing just two runs while striking out nine Mets batters and walking only one, out-dueling his former Astros teammate.
Verlander won two World Series rings in Houston.
He was traded over from the Detroit Tigers in 2017 and helped guide the Astros to their first ever World Series title.
He also helped lead them back to the Fall Classic in 2019, and he earned the win in a pivotal Game 5 last October against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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