HOUSTON -- Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer and Framber Valdez threw eight strong innings to outpitch former teammate Justin Verlander as the Houston Astros snapped a five-game skid with a 4-2 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Valdez (7-5) took over as Houston's ace this year following Verlander's departure after winning the AL Cy Young Award last season. The left-hander didn't allow a baserunner until the sixth and held the Mets scoreless until the eighth.
The Astros led by one in the third before Bregman connected off Verlander (2-4) for the 150th home run of his career to make it 3-0.