CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched six scoreless innings for his 15th win, the most in the major leagues, as the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-0 on Thursday.
Chas McCormick and Martin Maldonado homered and drove in three runs each to support the work of the Houston ace.
Returning from elbow surgery, Verlander (15-3) extended his winning streak to seven starts and tied Herb Pennock for 55th with a total of 241 wins. He gave up two hits, both singles, and had five strikeouts.
In addition to leading the majors in wins, Verlander is number one in ERA at 1.73. The right-hander is 11-16 at Progressive Field, where his 5.17 ERA is the highest of any ballpark in which he has appeared more than twice.
Will Smith, Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton completed the job on the mound and Cleveland managed just three hits.
With the victory, the Astros, leaders in the Western Division of the American League, came within a game and a half of the Yankees, who rested for the day, are leaders in the Western Division and have the best record in the same league.
McCormick put the Astros up 2-0 with RBI singles in the third and fifth off Cleveland starter Zach Plesac (2-10).
Maldonado drove in two runs with a double in the fifth off Nick Sandlin to make it 4-0.
For the Guardians, the Dominicans Amed Rosario 4-0 and José Ramírez 4-0. The Venezuelan Andrés Giménez 4-0.
For the Astros, the Venezuelan José Altuve 4-2. Cubans Yuli Gurriel 5-0; Yordan Álvarez 2-1, one scored and Aledmys Díaz 4-0, one scored. The Dominican Jeremy Peña 5-2. Honduran Mauricio Dubón 4-0. Puerto Rican Martín Maldonado 4-2, one run scored, three RBIs.
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