Cy thoughts: Verlander's gem nets MLB-leading 14th win

HOUSTON -- The last pitch of the game thrown by Justin Verlander, which hotshot Seattle rookie Julio Rodríguez stroked into left field for an RBI double in the eighth inning, was the only thing that kept the Astros ace from walking off the field Friday night leading the Major Leagues in both wins and ERA.

Still, that did little to diminish yet another dominant effort from the ageless Verlander, who gave up one run and five hits in 7 2/3 innings to lead the Astros to an 11-1 win over the Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Houston pushed its American League West lead to 12 games.

Verlander (14-3) leads the Major Leagues with 14 wins, and his 1.81 ERA ranks second in the Majors behind Shane McClanahan of the Rays (1.76), thanks to the one run allowed. Verlander is 6-0 with a 0.86 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in his last six starts and picked up his 240th career win.

The thought of winning a third Cy Young Award at age 39 and coming off Tommy John surgery is tough to fathom for Verlander, who won the award in 2011 with Detroit and ‘19 with Houston and has finished second three other times.

“I can't even really put into words what that would mean,” he said. “All of this is such a blessing after the last couple of years -- Tommy John, all the hard work that went into being able to be back and be successful. There were a lot of doubters. I had to believe in myself. My family had my back, my teammates had my back. If that were to happen, it would be incredible.”

Verlander still has two months of regular-season work remaining, but he’s showing no signs of slowing down. He threw 94 pitches, only four of which the Mariners put in play at more than a 100 mph exit velocity. The average exit velocity against him was 89.1 mph.

“They put the bat on the ball a lot,” Verlander said. “They had some decent swings. I think my location and stuff was good enough to just miss the barrels and force a lot of action and get the ball in play. And fortunately, the couple that were hard-hit were at guys, and I was able to get deep into the game. It’s never easy to face the same team back to back, but I was pleased to have success.”

Verlander was at 82 pitches through seven scoreless innings before giving up a run in the eighth on the Rodríguez double. He came off the mound to a thunderous ovation, which earned the crowd a tip of the cap.

“It was an amazing ovation,” he said. “The fans were incredible. It felt really special to have them acknowledge me like that. It was a sellout crowd, which was pretty usual. It’s nice to be able to go out and perform and have them support you like that.”

Verlander improved to 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in six starts against Seattle this year and won’t see them again this year, unless it’s in the playoffs.

"He has pitched a long time in this league, so he knows exactly what the game calls for and then makes adjustments accordingly,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “For the most part, he has our number and we got him once this year in all the times we have faced him. He's been dominant and really good against us. He keeps doing his thing at 39 years old and [you] just have to tip your cap at him. He's going to the Hall of Fame, he's that good."

Alvarez reaches 30 homers
Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez became the fastest player in club history to reach 30 homers in a season when he went deep in the sixth inning. His homer came in his 84th game of the season. If he stays healthy, he’s a lock to surpass his career high of 33 set last year.

“I’m through being surprised,” manager Dusty Baker said. “I’ve been around some great hitters, and he’s fast approaching that area of excellence. Just keep it coming.”

Alvarez, who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, said he wasn’t aware he had left his mark in the record books until he was told by a reporter.

“Actually, just found out right now,” he said. “I would need to look at my phone and take some time to assimilate everything.”