How much longer can the Astros allow this to continue?
We all know Father Time’s won-loss record.
For even “The Greatest” he remains the grim reaper of every sports career.
After two years of retirement, Father Time (aka Larry Holmes), did this to the head and body of Muhammad Ali at age 40.
Today, Justin Verlander may well have wanted to trade places with Ali considering the pounding he took at the hands of the Diamondbacks.
After getting through a scoreless first inning, here are the punches Verlander took in innings two and three:
Inning two
McCarthy single
Suarez single
Smith home run
Three outs
Inning Three
Perdomo pop up
Pederson single
Bell single
McCarthy walk
Suarez single
Smith grand slam homer (2)
Del Castillo double
Two outs
In all, nine outs, eight hits, one walk, and one hit by pitch. Verlander allowed more runners to reach base than he retired. He surrendered 15 total bases in three innings along with eight runs, two homers, no strikeouts, and only four whiffs out of 75 pitches. Verlander’s ERA since returning from IL is 9.68. He has lost all four games he has pitched.
Pavin Smith added a third home run in the fifth against Kaleb Ort, giving Smith eight RBI for the game.
To their credit, the Astros’ offense didn’t quit. Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and the Stros put up a three-spot in the fifth, led by Jose Altuve and Yainer Diaz RBI singles. With two runners on, Alex Bregman and Jeremy Pena could have brought the score to 9-8 at that point in the game, but instead of heroic home runs, Bregman lined out sharply, and Pena struck out.
In the ninth inning, Yainer Diaz doubled home Kyle Tucker, who got his first hit since returning IL.
After Smith’s third homer, the D-Backs managed three more runs, one each off relievers Hector Neris, Nick Hernandez, and a Suarez homer off Josh Hader. After Verlander’s exit, the Stros outscored the D-Backs 6-4.
After his demolition at the fists of Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali came back for brutal punishment one more time at the hands of Trevor Berbick. I have a feeling Justin Verlander is going to take some more poundings before everyone admits that Father Time has notched yet another victory. Hopefully, the Astros can afford to lose those games.
Justin Verlander is a storied Astro who will be loved for as long as there are still Astros fans. Let’s hope he is not also remembered as the player who cost the Astros their chance at the playoffs in 2024.