As I’ve seem to say in every recap. if it’s not one thing it’s another.
After three straight games of throwing away chances of victory in the first inning, today Justin Verlander worked out of a bases loaded, no-out, first inning jam without allowing a run.
Although struggling, today he managed to go 4.1 scoreless innings, and a Yordan Alvarez sac fly in the first meant the Astros actually held a lead through five innings.
Five innings of offensive futility. Make that nine.
As far as the bubonic plague in the bullpen, credit Rafael Montero with slowing the epidemic by holding the Cubs after entering the game in the fifth inning with two on and only one out.