Justin Verlander was retired after going six innings without allowing a hit to reach 16 wins this season, the most in the major leagues, and the Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Tuesday and his former teammate Carlos Correa .
Verlander (16-3) allowed only one opponent to reach base — Nick Gordon struck out in the second inning but reached first on a wild pitch. The Houston ace struck out 10 opponents and improved his ERA to 1.87, the most outstanding in the majors.
He has made a spectacular comeback after missing almost two seasons due to Tommy John surgery.
The 39-year-old pitcher, the only active player to pitch three no-hitters, was relieved after throwing 91 pitches. Ryne Stanek took the mound to start the seventh inning, opened by Puerto Rican Correa with Minnesota’s first hit.
Alex Bregman’s home run helped the AL West-leading Astros build a 4-0 lead. The Twins scored twice in the ninth inning and loaded the bases before Bryan Abreu struck out Jake Cave to end the game.
Correa made his first visit to Houston since leaving the Astros to sign with the Twins in the offseason before this season.
The crowd rose to its feet during a pregame ceremony, where he was presented with his American League championship ring. There were also cheers during his opening at-bat in the first inning.
The shortstop took off his helmet to thank the fans for their love.
Instead, there was less joy when he broke up the Astros’ combined no-hitter with a line drive to center field that Mauricio Dubon couldn’t catch despite a dive.
It was the only hit for Correa, who was the Astros’ first pick in the 2012 draft and spent his first seven seasons in Houston.
For the Twins, the Venezuelan Luis Arráez 3-0 with a run scored. The Puerto Ricans Correa 4-1, José Miranda 4-1 with an RBI. The Dominicans Jorge Polanco 4-1 with a run scored, Gilberto Celestino 2-0, Gary Sánchez 3-0. Colombian Gio Urshela 3-1.
For the Astros, Venezuelan José Altuve 3-1 with a run scored. Cubans Yuli Gurriel 3-1, Yordan Álvarez 4-1. The Dominican Jeremy Peña 4-1. Honduran Dubón 4-1 with an RBI. Puerto Rican Martin Maldonado 4-0.