Sports
Verlander first 13-game winner in Astros' win

SEATTLE: Justin Verlander became the major leagues' first 13-game winner, striking out nine and topping 99 mph in his final inning to lead the Houston Astros over the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Verlander (13-3) allowed four hits in seven innings to win his fifth straight start and lower his ERA to 1.86, second in the American League to Shane McClanahan's 1.71 for Tampa Bay.