Justin Verlander pitches like a man possessed in Astros’ win over Mariners

SEATTLE — Age saps strength and layoffs lessen effectiveness. Justin Verlander exists as an exception to both of these accepted truths. Patches of gray in his beard foster a false sense of hope the Astros’ ace is fading as Father Time takes hold.

Verlander is staging the sort of comeback only he could author. He is a 39-year-old unicorn unleashing the same dominance he displayed pre-surgery. Saturday, he showcased a style that even predates his Astros tenure.

Shades of a fireballing prospect reappeared on a sun-splashed Seattle afternoon. In perhaps his highest stress inning since the 2019 World Series, Verlander morphed into a man possessed, flipping from dominant to downright disgusting.

To strand the bases loaded and save a lead, Verlander fired the sort of fastballs more apt for 2002 and not 2022. Eleven of them reached 98 mph. Four eclipsed 99. Verlander slung straight heat to protect a tenuous Astros advantage.

Houston held on during a 3-1 victory against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Verlander lowered his ERA to 1.86 with seven spectacular innings. Houston’s ace strapped its fatigued pitching staff onto his broad shoulders and carried it to within six outs of a win. Little-used relievers Parker Mushinski and Bryan Abreu collected them, finishing a masterpiece Verlander began.

Mariners leadoff man J.P. Crawford struck the second pitch he threw for a single. Verlander allowed one other baserunner until the seventh. He retired 15 Seattle hitters in a row prior to Carlos Santana’s arrival in the seventh.

Santana struck a hanging curveball for a solo home run to stop the rhythm. Verlander bent both knees at the sound of contact. He watched the baseball travel into the right-field seats before dropping his head.

Eugenio Suarez worked a walk before Adam Frazier flared a single off Verlander’s glove, suddenly putting the go-ahead run aboard. Verlander elevated a 99.2 mph four-seamer to strike out Cal Raleigh for a massive second out. He had not thrown a harder strikeout pitch since July 21, 2018.

Mariners manager Scott Servais summoned Kyle Lewis as a pinch-hitter. Verlander pitched him carefully. He worked a walk, loading the bases for nine-hole hitter Sam Haggerty. Verlander blew him away with four fastballs. All were 96.5 mph or harder. Verlander’s season average is 94.9 mph.

Haggerty took one final hack at a 97.6 mph four-seamer. He had no chance. Verlander balled his fists, punched his glove and gave an audible yell as he departed the mound.

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