Justin Verlander tossed seven shutout innings and the Astros scored four runs in the fifth inning to beat the Rays 6-2 in Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park.
The Rays managed just one hit against Verlander, who struck out eight on 100 pitches. Tampa failed to get a runner into scoring position until the eighth inning.
Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer off Rays starter Tyler Glasnow in the fifth to open the scoring and Houston would add two more unearned runs in the inning to cushion its lead.