HOUSTON — Justin Verlander stayed perfect with the Houston Astros when they couldn’t afford anything else.
The right-hander pitched seven shutout innings and Jose Altuve homered and drove in three runs during a 7-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night that extended the AL Championship Series to a decisive Game 7.
Acquired in an Aug. 31 trade, Verlander has won all nine of his outings for the Astros. And with his club facing playoff elimination in Game 6 against the Yankees, he delivered again.
Game 7 is Saturday night in Houston, with the winner advancing to the World Series against the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers.