HOUSTON -- On a night when a pair of aces traded punches, Justin Verlander stumbled before Cole Hamels, and growing concern about the Astros' struggle to score runs at Minute Maid Park swelled.
With hope of rebounding from his first regular-season loss as an Astro in his last start, Verlander rolled early in his ninth start of the season, but Houston's bullpen played a key role in keeping the game close. With little offense to help -- the Astros managed just one hit off Hamels and three relievers -- the Astros fell, 1-0, to the Rangers, a club that has had little success against Verlander.