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Tigers fall to ex-teammate Justin Verlander, 3-2: Three takeaways

Vintage Verlander showed up on Monday night.
Credit: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press
Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (35) fist bumps teammates in the visitors dugout before the Detroit Tigers take on the Houston Astros Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at Comerica Park.

Justin Verlander returned to Comerica Park on Monday night and beat the Tigers, 3-2.

Here are three takeaways from Monday night’s loss:

Vintage Verlander

Verlander threw well, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings. The Tigers threatened once — putting two men on with one out in the second inning — but were overmatched by the veteran right-hander. Verlander struck out 10 batters, marking the 52nd game of his career — and 10th this season — with double-digit strikeouts. He walked one batter and walked off the mound to a standing ovation after the seventh inning. In the outing, he lowered his ERA to 2.72.

Stewart's big night

Stewart keyed the Tigers’ second run with a hard single in the sixth inning. In his first start, the young outfielder did not look overmatched: He smoked a Verlander fastball in the first inning to center for an out. Stewart went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Double-play killer

Down a run in the eighth inning, Nicholas Castellanos singled with one out against Astros reliever Ryan Pressly. But any hopes of a comeback ended quickly, when Victor Martinez lined out to left field. On the play, Josh Reddick appeared to lose the ball in the lights but still made the catch. The second base umpire did not signal for an out, though, and Castellanos was caught between first and second base. The Astros’ relay throw beat Castellanos to the bag for a double play, and manager Ron Gardenhire argued the call to no avail.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.

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