New guys Verlander, Maybin lift Astros over Mariners 3-1

SEATTLE (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched six strong innings and won his Astros debut after Cameron Maybin hit a two-run homer with one out in the seventh for Houston’s first hit Tuesday night in a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

With all the attention on Verlander’s first game for a team other than the Detroit Tigers, it was another deadline acquisition that sent Houston to its sixth straight victory. Maybin was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 31 and hit his second home run since joining the Astros to snap a 1-all tie.

Seattle starter Ariel Miranda threw 112 pitches over six hitless innings that included six walks — three of which led to Houston’s first run in the third on Alex Bregman’s sacrifice fly.

James Pazos (4-5) relieved in the seventh and walked Brian McCann with one out. Pazos was replaced by Emilio Pagan, who left a 3-2 pitch in the middle of the plate and Maybin hit his eighth homer of the season.

Verlander (11-8) allowed six hits and struck out seven. The 2011 AL MVP whiffed Mitch Haniger on his final pitch of the night, a 99 mph fastball.

It was the first time in 381 career regular-season starts that Verlander pitched for someone other than the Tigers. Even if his uniform colors were slightly different, the six-time All-Star’s fastball and ability to dominate a game was the same.

Verlander’s only costly mistake was a 3-2 pitch that Kyle Seager hit for a home run leading off the fourth. Seattle threatened in the sixth when Robinson Cano opened the inning by hitting a liner off Verlander’s lower right arm and wrist area. Nelson Cruz followed with a single, but Seager grounded into a double play.