Sep 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Photo Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — Justin Verlander delivered another strong start and the Astros bashed four home runs in support in their 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday at Minute Maid Park, a victory that secured their first American League West pennant in franchise history.
Houston won its first division championship since 2001 when it claimed the National League Central. This marks the first division title since the club moved to the AL in 2013 and the seventh division crown overall. It’s the second playoff berth in three seasons with manager A.J. Hinch.
Verlander (13-8) allowed one run on three hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts over seven innings. In three starts with the Astros (91-58) since his acquisition from the Detroit Tigers at the waiver trade deadline, Verlander is 3-0 with an 0.86 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 21 innings.
Derek Fisher and Marwin Gonzalez belted two-run home runs in the fifth inning to help the Astros erase a 1-0 deficit. Fisher socked his fifth homer off Mariners right-hander Andrew Moore (1-4); Gonzalez greeted Mariners reliever James Pazos with his 22nd homer this season.
The Astros erased all doubt in the seventh inning when George Springer lofted his team-leading 32nd home run into the first row of seats of the Crawford Boxes in left field. Two batters later, Carlos Correa blasted his 21st dinger to straightaway center field, a 420-foot two-run blast. Both of those home runs came against Mariners right-hander Emilio Pagan.
The Mariners (74-76) grabbed a 1-0 lead against Verlander when left fielder Ben Gamel belted his 10th home run into the home bullpen with one out in the third inning. But Verlander proved too overwhelming as did the Astros, who claimed the season series against the Mariners 14-5.
Houston moved into first place in the AL West on April 14 with a 7-2 win over the Athletics. The Astros did not surrender their perch atop the division.
NOTES: With Astros RHP Lance McCullers deemed unfit to start on Tuesday, RHP Collin McHugh will get the nod against the White Sox. McCullers will continue to throw bullpen sessions until his arm fatigue is no longer an issue. … When Mariners LF Ben Gamel smacked a solo home run in the third inning, he became the eighth Seattle player to reach double digits in homers. This marks the seventh time in club history that the Mariners have had at least eight players hit 10 home runs in a season. … With his strikeout of Gamel to close the fifth inning, Astros RHP Justin Verlander reached 200 strikeouts in a season for the seventh time in his career.
