The Astros shoot the Tigers at Verlander in Detroit

By Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle

published

19:53 CDT, Monday, September 10, 2018

DETROIT – Interrupting Justin Verlander's pre-departure routine is impossible. On Monday, cameras followed him from the team bus to the visiting club. The right-hander did not recognize them. A helmet covered his ears. A threatening look greeted those who met him face to face.

He tracked down the flag and studied the recognition reports of a Detroit formation filled with names that some recognize. It was procedural. Verlander strives to normalize his most abnormal night in Astro.

Verlabnder's trade in Houston last August was a sign of the destruction of a time that he was running. Fans were sad that a franchise face was gone, understanding given the circumstances and aware of the legendary feats he had designed.

On his expected return, while carving the home team, Detroit loved him. Three times they stood up to applaud him in a 3-2 Astros victory. He eliminated 10 men in seven two-leg baseball heats.

Verlander dressed in a gray uniform of the road, grabbed a blue cap and emerged from the visiting canoe. One hundred and eighty-seven starts at Comerica Park produced 97 wins. No man had won more.

His 98th started with a march to the paddock. Verlander shot fast balls and sliders. When he had finished, he crossed the outer field. The club commissioned a tribute video to play in the background.

Highlights of the Verlander Tiger's 13-year term began flashing in front of a slow-moving crowd. He stopped the usual salute of the teammates to watch.

Verlander's first major league start and first withdrawal were presented. The 35-year-old, grizzled, had become a big smile.

We remembered his two non-hitters. The final of his masterpiece in the Division Series of the American League in 2012 was exciting. Eminem's bars "Til 'I Collapse" – Verlander's longtime song – played as the video concluded.

Verlander took off his cap and waved it in front of the crowd. He went to the canoe and pointed to every corner of the stadium. When he took the mound in the first run, he again recognized the announced crowd of 19,711 people who would applaud him.

His long-time teammate, Victor Martinez, came out of the batter's box to remove his helmet before his first appearance. Verlander prompted a popout to stop.

The start was vintage, the kind of work that most spectators were at the Detroit stadium.

Verlander 24 of the 104 pitches were beaten and missed. His slider was sublime, generating 10 of those 23 puffs.

The Verlander offensive was tired. He offered little support. His former team helped more.

Houston played Sunday night against the Red Sox. The match began Monday morning, imposing dreadful travel arrangements in Detroit. The Astros did not reach their hotel until 4:30 in the morning, Eastern time.

The fear was palpable. The training produced five hits. Francisco Liriano had six innings against his former team.

The three races on the Liriano line have been dug up. All arrived in a miserable third round. Eight of the nine batters in Houston's command came to the plate. The Detroit defense has never arrived.

With George Springer on the first goal after a walk, the Tigers' shortstop Ronny Rodriguez did not turn around. This ends the round.

Springer rather scored on a wild throw from Liriano. Tyler White and Marwin Gonzalez also scored goals, giving Verlander all the support he needed.