Bronx, NY– Alex Verdugo showcased his power with a homer and matched a career-best four RBI, propelling the New York Yankees to a commanding 10-3 victory over Justin Verlander and the struggling Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
Verdugo, stationed in the cleanup spot between Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, spearheaded New York’s offensive onslaught. His three-run blast in the opening inning set the tone, followed by an RBI single in the third inning against Verlander (1-1).
“Sometimes it’s a bit humbling being sandwiched between Judge and Stanton,” Verdugo remarked with a grin. “But I thrive on it. I feel like I contribute enough contact to either advance runners or get the job done.”
The four-RBI performance marked Verdugo’s second of the season and the fifth of his career. His defensive prowess was also on display, highlighted by a slick sliding catch in left field to retire Jeremy Peña in the sixth.
“We’re witnessing his impact on both offense and defense,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s been exceptional, coming up clutch when it matters.”
Verlander’s outing lasted five innings, yielding seven runs—his second-highest tally in 37 regular-season and postseason starts against the Yankees. The veteran right-hander conceded eight hits and issued three walks, struggling to find his rhythm after missing the early part of the season due to shoulder inflammation.
“If I’m brutally honest with myself, the walks indicate I was a bit off,” Verlander conceded. “Facing a team like this, who knows me well, highlighted areas where I need improvement.”
Anthony Volpe contributed to the Yankees’ offensive barrage with a two-run homer in the fourth inning, while Stanton launched a mammoth solo shot in the fifth. Luis Gil (3-1) delivered a stellar performance on the mound, allowing only one hit—a first-inning homer by Kyle Tucker—over six innings of work.
Trey Cabbage’s two-run single in the ninth provided a late spark for the Astros, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their offensive struggles. Houston’s woes continue, now with three consecutive losses, as they sink to a 12-23 record, tied for the fifth-worst start in franchise history.
In the injury update, Astros’ DH Yordan Alvarez exited the game after fouling a ball off his left leg, while the Yankees received positive news regarding the recovery progress of several key players, including Gerrit Cole and DJ LeMahieu.
The series resumes Wednesday night, featuring a pitching matchup between Yankees’ left-hander Carlos Rodón (2-2, 3.68 ERA) and Astros’ right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (0-3, 8.27 ERA).
