Justin Verlander got his work in with 116 total pitches through six innings. He allowed eight hits, striking out twelve and gave up two earned runs on a pair of solo homers. He was unable to get a three-up-three-down inning.
His struggles with the long-ball this season had actually been lesser against the Rangers. In 21 games started this year, Justin has had just three starts without allowing a home run. Two of those come against Texas, one of them being his previous start in Arlington.
Saturday's starter will be call-up Jose Urquidy as the Astros continue to battle their rotation injury and innings problems. The corresponding move is Tyler White being designated for assignment. This means that the Astros can either trade him or a team can claim him off waivers in seven days, but if neither happens he will return to an Astros minor league affiliate.
Back-to-back-to-back home runs in the third inning by Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez gave the Astros an early cushion. Yuli Gurriel also homered to keep his hot stretch alive. Rangers starter Mike Minor handled himself well after the home runs to go seven innings and strike out ten Astros.
In the Silver Boot Series this year, the Astros are (5-0) at home and just (4-6) on the road. Houston has won the Silver Boot the last two seasons with a (12-7) record both times. Just four more games in the rivalry remain.