• Justin Verlander throws a five-hit shutout as the Astros top the Angels.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Justin Verlander is not prone to sentimentality.
More excited about getting out of a jam than getting his 2,500th strikeout, Verlander put both his flair for the moment and his enduring greatness on full display Wednesday in a classic masterpiece on the mound.
The right-hander threw a five-hitter for his first shutout in three years and Evan Gattis hit a two-run homer as the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-0.
“Pretty much a clinic on how to pitch,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “I mean, it’s just an epic performance by a really good pitcher. It’s fun to win a series, especially against a team like this. Even more sweet when one of your best carries you on his back.”
Verlander (5-2) was superb in ending his two-game skid, finishing with seven strikeouts to reach 2,500 for his career. He walked one and lowered his ERA from 1.21 to 1.05.
It was the fourth time this season he’s gone at least six innings without giving up a run.
With his supermodel wife, Kate Upton, applauding in the crowd, Verlander threw 118 pitches in his 24th career complete game and first since 2016 with Detroit. Two runners were on when he retired Zack Cozart on an infield popup to polish off his eighth major league shutout and first since 2015 with the Tigers.
Gattis’ fourth home run came off hard-luck loser Garrett Richards (4-2) in the second inning after a two-out throwing error by Cozart at third base.
That was enough for Verlander, who did not allow a runner past first base for the first seven innings.
The Angels finally put pressure on the Astros’ ace in the eighth. Ian Kinsler got a oneout single and Kole Calhoun hit a ground-rule double, putting two runners in scoring position. But then Verlander threw a called third strike past pinch-hitter Luis Valbuena and got Mike Trout to ground out softly on a check-swing.
After escaping the jam unscathed, Verlander pumped both arms and then his right fist.
“Here’s the game right here. Can you get out the best player in the world? Yeah, I was pretty excited about it,” Verlander said.
Trout went 0-for-4. Shohei Ohtani was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, going down swinging on three pitches to start the ninth for Verlander’s 2,500th strikeout.
Albert Pujols singled with two outs and Verlander walked Andrelton Simmons before retiring Cozart.