DETROIT (AP) – Justin Verlander knew it would be one of the most moving games of his career in the major league.

He was still not prepared.

On his return to Detroit, Verlander received three standing ovations at the Houston Astros launch against the Tigers on Monday night.

Verlander (15-9) made his major league debut with the Tigers in 2005 and ranks in the top 10 on many of the team's career lists. He was eliminated 10 times in seven innings during his first participation at Mount Comerica Park since his transfer to Houston in August 2017.

"Our hotel is right next to my old house, so I have to spend time in the neighborhood today," he said. "I was trying to keep my routine as much as possible."

This hope came to an end early, as the scoreboard played a tribute video as Verlander returned from the paddock after his pre-game warm-ups. He stopped, alone in the shallow central right field and watched the entire show.

"It was almost normal until the video tribute, but it really touched me," he said. "I've had a lot of good memories in my 13 years here, and that brought everything back in. I wanted to go to the dugout before she started, but once she started to to play, I had to watch. "

Verlander received his first ovation at the end of the video and another in his first run. Each time, he flipped his cap and beckoned to the fans.

The longest encouragement came when he left the mound after the seventh, after throwing 104 shots.

"The one after the seventh really meant the world to me," he said. "The fans here were always happy to be here, and they showed it again tonight, it was a very moving moment."

The crowd was announced at 19,711 – the Detroit Lions opened their season entry Monday night against the New York Jets.

"Tonight it mattered a lot to him," said Astros manager AJ Hinch. "It's important to him that he was successful here and that he succeeded here, so it was special for him to come back on this mound."

World Series champion Astros opened a three-game lead over Oakland at the AL West, despite a botched game after Boston's Sunday night defeat.

"I'm proud of our guys because there was a lot going on today, and we did not play our best game, but we still found a way to win," he said. Hinch.

Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and a walk, improving to 98-50 at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer is second in career stage victories with 46, while Jordan Zimmermann leads the current Tigers with 14.

"He had exactly the answer he deserved from our fans," said Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire. "He has been a great pitcher here for a long time, and he has done a lot of good things for this city."

The Tigers put two riders in seventh, but Verlander eliminated JaCoby Jones and Jeimer Candelario to take the lead with a 3-2 lead. He overturned his hat when the fans got up after the last throw at Candelario.

"It was a special night," Verlander said.

Roberto Osuna worked the ninth for his 16th save, including seven with Houston.

Francisco Liriano (4-10) allowed three unstuck points to four hits and four goals in six innings. He eliminated seven players in his longest outing since the launch of six rounds on July 4th.

The Tigers took the lead in the second. Niko Goodrum doubled and later scored on a single by Dawel Lugo.

Liriano's wild pitching and Ronny Rodriguez shortstop error allowed the Astros to score three unredeemed points in the third period. Tyler White and Marwin Gonzalez hit the RBI singles, while the Tigers failed to double two doubles.

"You have to play games," Gardenhire said. "When you miss games, it's always what happens, we had the chance to go out, not to do it and it cost us some shopping."

Verlander settled after the second, removing the next nine batters. Candelario walked to start the sixth, Christin Stewart followed with his first major league stroke and Nicholas Castellanos had a sacrifice flight.

"If someone had said that I was going to get my first shot on Justin Verlander during my first major league start." Said Stewart. "It was an experience rather out of the body."

Castellanos leapt forward over the field barrier to take an extra kick to Gonzalez in the eighth end.

Josh Reddick, in the Houston match as a defensive substitute, started a double-game in the eighth inning with a slippery throw in the left field.

EARLY START

The game started at 6:10 pm, an hour earlier than expected, to try to ease traffic jams with Lions playing on Ford Field. A game of the day was not possible because the Astros played Sunday night in Boston.

FOLLOWING

The teams continue their three-game series on Tuesday night with Zimmermann (7-6, 4.03 ERA) against Houston (Framber Valdez) (3-1, 1.37).

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