Despite allowing six earned runs in his start, Verlander received a standing ovation from the Minute Maid Park fans.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander bent his head, smacked the ball back in his glove as he walked back to the mound. Astros manager Joe Espada met him there, letting him know he would not face another batter.

Justin Verlander sat out almost two months this summer because of a neck injury. After his latest tough start Friday night in Houston's 9-7 win over the Angels, the 41-year-old right-hander said he should have taken more time to recover.