Justin Verlander got his 11th MLB leading win, Yordan Álvarez hit his 26th home run, and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Thursday.
Jose Altuve added a home run and three RBIs for the Astros, who bounced back after a 7-4 loss Wednesday night that snapped an eight-game winning streak. Houston took three of four from Kansas City.
Verlander (11-3) worked six innings, allowing seven hits and two runs, one earned, with eight strikeouts to lower his ERA to 2.00 in his remarkable return from Tommy John surgery.
Kris Bubic (1-6) allowed four hits and three runs while matching a career high with six walks in 5 1/3 innings for his second straight loss. Verlander is in his return season with the Astros.
