Verlander, Altuve power Astros’ win

Starter surrenders only 1 hit in 7 innings; 2B hits 2-run HR

HOUSTON — Asked what went wrong for his Rays, manager Kevin Cash invented a word.

“We got Verlandered,” Cash said.

Justin Verlander looked every bit the October ace, Jose Altuve polished his postseason resume and the Astros kept rolling, beating the Rays 6-2 Friday to open their AL Division Series.

The Astros, who won a franchise-record 107 games for the best record in the majors, began their quest for a second World Series title in three years against a Rays team that downed the A’s 5-1 in the wild-card game.

Verlander kept up his dominant run this year when he posted an MLB-most 21 wins and fanned 300, allowing just a soft single in seven shutout innings. He struck out eight and improved to 8-0 in 12 career ALDS appearances — he’s 14-7 overall in postseason play.

He cracked up when told Cash used his performance to turn his name into a verb.

“It’s a pretty great compliment,” Verlander said. “I don’t know what else to say, other than that.”

The Rays got their only hit off Verlander when Brandon Lowe singled to start the fifth. Verlander ended his day by striking out the side in the seventh, pounding his fist into his glove as he walked off the mound after fanning Lowe.

Manager AJ Hinch was asked about Verlander’s knack for getting stronger late in games.

“He’s got an incredible instinct for the moment,” he said. “He leaves some gas in his gas tank at the end of his outings like a good sprinter, like at the finish line, he’s going to win. He’s going to win the race at the end of his outings.”

Rays starter Tyler Glasnow had given up just three singles when he walked Josh Reddick on four pitches to begin the fifth. He struck out George Springer, but Altuve then tagged him for a two-run homer, lining a fastball into the left field seats.

Altuve has homered in Game 1 of the ALDS for three straight years.