AROUND THE HORN

Astros:

Justin Verlander began his second stint with the Astros by pitching seven solid innings, but he gave up a go-ahead homer to Jake Bauers that sent the Yankees to a 3-1 victory Saturday. Gleyber Torres also went deep for the Yankees, and Nestor Cortes struck out a season-high eight over four innings during an encouraging return to the mound following two months on the injured list. Verlander (6-6) allowed two runs and seven hits, losing a regular-season start to the Yankees for the first time since June 2015 with the Tigers. He struck out four, walked two and fell to 10-8 against the Yankees in the regular season. In his first start for the Astros since winning Game 5 of the World Series at Philadelphia last November, the 40-yearold right-hander averaged 94 mph on his 52 four-seam fastballs. “It was a battle, the first three innings,” Verlander said. “I was kind of all over the place control-wise. Not exactly sure why, but I was able to rein it in, make some better pitches and keep us in the ballgame. So definitely felt better after the last few innings.” After helping the Astros to a second World Series title and winning his third AL Cy Young Award, Verlander signed an $86.7 million, two-year contract with the Mets as a free agent in December. But the Mets stumbled this season and Houston reacquired Verlander for a pair of minor league prospects at Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Mets also agreed to send $35,520,753 to the Astros as part of the deal. And if Verlander exercises his 2025 option, the Mets would send the Astros another $17.5 million. “It felt oddly familiar,” said Verlander, who pitched in the Bronx for the Mets on July 25. “It was like this moment of time that I wasn’t here. It was really only three months because I missed the first month with injury. So it’s been very easy to kind of feel like I’ve been here the whole time. I love these guys and being able to go out there and compete with them again, it’s a lot of fun.” Verlander retired Aaron Judge four times, on three flyouts and a popout. He finished his 499th career start by getting the slugger on a popup after manager Dusty Baker visited the mound. “Obviously, that was a big spot — one of the best hitters in the world,” Verlander said.

Tigers: Jake Rogers drove in three runs and Akil Baddoo homered and the Tigers beat the Rays 4-2 on Saturday. The Tigers entered the game with a 3-17 record against American League East opponents and had lost all four meetings with the Rays. The Rays entered the ninth down 4-2, but closer Alex Lange walked the first two hitters. Yandy Díaz hit into a double play before Lange walked Wander Franco. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch brought in Beau Brieske, who struck out Isaac Paredes for his first career save. Tarik Skubal (2-1) picked up the win, allowing an unearned run and six hits in 5 innings. He struck out six while walking one. Aaron Civale (5-3) lost for the first time to the Tigers in his 11th start, giving up three runs and nine hits in 4 innings. igers for the Guardians.