Riley Greene homered in each of the first two innings as the Detroit Tigers raced to a huge lead and crushed the Detroit Tigers 13-5 on Saturday. Detroit jumped on starter Spencer Arrighetti for five hits and seven runs in just 1 1/3 innings pitched.
The 24-year-old got the start after Justin Verlander was scratched with neck discomfort Saturday morning.
After the game, Houston's skipper didn't seem too worried, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com
“He’s human,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “It’s just not his day. We’ll see how he bounces back. He’s a tough kid, and I expect him to go back to work and be better next time out there.”
Arrighetti gave up a career-high-tying seven earned runs, including three homers. He faced 12 batters and gave up five hits, two walks and hit a batter.
Arrighetti has been one of the Astros’ best stories this season and has steadily developed himself into a solid starter with each successive start. He had a 10.97 ERA through three starts and had lowered it to 5.33 entering Saturday. It sits at 6.37 through his first 53 2/3 innings.
Arrighetti was originally scheduled to start against the Tigers in Sunday’s series finale, but the Astros moved him up a day to pitch on four days of rest after Verlander was scratched.
After starting hot in April, Verlander has yet to find his vintage form. The former Tigers star has a 3.25 ERA through 19 seasons in the big leagues, usually finding himself amongst the top pitchers in the game annually. However, he's been far from that this season, and it's fair to wonder if his star is finally fading.
Verlander is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA this year in his second season back in Houston, with a 7.20 mark so far in June.
Astros move on from Jose Abreu
Verlander isn't the only vet that has struggled for the Astros this season.
Jose Abreu was having such a brutal season that the Astros actually sent him down minors to try to work out the issues he was having with his swing. While he did ultimately get another shot at the major league level, the Astros have seen enough and released Abreau earlier this week.
The move came despite the first baseman still being owed $30 million on his contract. But with Houston's expectations and Abreu's overall performance, the general manager Dana Brown and Astros felt it was time to move on.
Prior to his release, Abreu was hitting .124 with two home runs and seven RBI. Not only did his batting average drop to a new career-low, but Abreu's signature power has been nowhere to be found. The former MVP was expected to be a powerful addition once he joined the team. But in the second year of a three-year contract, Jose Abreu is now leaving Houston.
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