Justin Verlander earns his 262nd win as AL West champion Astros beat Guardians 4-3

CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Verlander gave up three runs in six innings for his 262nd victory and the AL West champion Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Saturday night.

Verlander (5-6), who gave up seven hits and struck out five without a walk, won for the second time in three starts and lowered his ERA to 5.48. It was the longest outing since May 29 for the right-hander, who missed two months with neck discomfort.

“I worked hard for this and it was probably the best I’ve felt since coming back,” the likely Hall of Famer said. “I’m realistic. I know I haven’t been as sharp as I need to be, but I feel like I’m inching in the right direction.”

José Ramírez hit his 39th homer and drove in three runs for the AL Central champion Guardians, moving within one home run of becoming the seventh player in major league history with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. He already has 41 steals this season.

“Ramírez is such an incredible hitter, you’ve got to tip your hat to him,” said Verlander, who is 24-24 with a 4.42 ERA in 57 career starts against Cleveland. “It wasn’t a bad pitch and he hit it out. It’s impressive.”

The Guardians’ defeat clinched home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs for the New York Yankees, who lost to the Pirates 9-4. Both teams have first-round byes.

Shawn Dubin worked a scoreless ninth for his second save. Houston will host either Detroit or Kansas City in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday.

The 41-year-old Verlander ranks 40th in career victories and would be part of the rotation if he is chosen for Houston’s postseason roster, manager Joe Espada said.

“There was a real intention there tonight to show he can really deliver — and he did,” Espada said. “He threw the ball really, really well and even got to 97 (mph) to Ramírez.”

Verlander said he has not been told if he will be in uniform for the start of the playoffs.

“I don’t know, that’s a conversation with Joe that I’m sure we’ll have,” he said.

Zach Dezenzo had an RBI single in the first and Jon Singleton walked with the bases loaded during Houston’s three-run second inning. A throwing error by Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio plated the final two runs.

Ramírez hit a two-run homer in the first and had a sacrifice fly in the third. The six-time All-Star third baseman doubled in the eighth for his 1,500th career hit.

“It’s been an unbelievable year to watch Josey, so much fun,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “It will be fun to see what happens tomorrow.”

Guardians starter Ben Lively (13-10) pitched four innings, giving up two earned and two unearned runs.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: OF Yordan Alvarez (right knee sprain) has been fitted with a brace and could resume baseball activities Sunday. Alvarez last appeared in a game on Sept. 22.

Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right third finger blister) reported no issues after a bullpen session at Progressive Field. He is scheduled to throw a simulated game Sunday.

UP NEXT

Astros RHP Ryan Gusto is likely to be promoted from the taxi squad and make his major league debut in the regular-season finale. Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86 ERA) will work as the bulk reliever behind RHP Nick Sandlin.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Houston Astros' Victor Caratini, left congratulates Shawn Dubin, right at the end of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Houston Astros' Grae Kessinger hits a fly out off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Cade Smith during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander sits in the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively delivers against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez celebrates after hitting a two-run home run off Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio throws Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena out at first base during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez, front, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander, back left, during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Houston Astros' Zach Dezenzo heads to first base and is safe on a two-run RBI error during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor, left, greets Jose Ramirez, right, after Ramirez hit a two-run home run off Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

MONTREAL (AP) — Josef Martínez scored two goals in four minutes, Caden Clark had a goal and an assist, and CF Montreal beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 on Saturday night.

Montreal (9-12-10) extended its unbeaten run to four games (3-0-1) amid a playoff chase. Montreal improved to 37 points with three games remaining in the regular season.

San Jose (5-23-3) is without a victory in its last five outings (0-4-1).

Martínez opened the scoring in the 50th minute by heading in Bryce Duke's corner kick. Then Clark played a nice ball back to the top of the box for Martínez's 113th MLS goal.

Clark made it 3-0 in the 72nd with his third goal in three games. Duke sent it outside for a give-and-go before an apparent shot attempt turned into a perfect assist to Clark alone at the far post.

Martínez produced the 23rd multi-goal game of his career, passing four players for the third-most multi-goal games in MLS history.

The Earthquakes registered only two shots on target.

AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

CF Montreal's Raheem Edwards, left, battles with San Jose Earthquakes' Carlos Gruezo during first-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)

San Jose Earthquakes' Daniel Munie, top left, goes high to head the ball during first-half MLS soccer match action against CF Montreal in Montreal, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)

CF Montreal's George Campbell, center, heads the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the San Jose Earthquakes in Montreal, Saturday, September 28, 2024. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)

San Jose Earthquakes' Hernan Lopez, bottom, slides in to block the pass of CF Montreal's Samuel Piette during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, September 28, 2024. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)

CF Montreal's Josef Martinez, left, battles San Jose Earthquakes' Daniel Munie during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, September 28, 2024. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)

CF Montreal's Josef Martinez, left, takes a shot on San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel (42) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Saturday, September 28, 2024. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP)