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Justin Verlander allowed three early runs but grinded out six innings, and the Houston Astros used a three-run second to beat the host Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Saturday night.

Looking to be a contributor for the Astros (88-73) in the postseason, Verlander (5-6) allowed a two-run, first-inning homer to Jose Ramirez, and another run in the third, but nothing else. He gave up seven hits, but no walks, and struck out five for Houston, which goes for the sweep of this three-game series in the regular-season finale Sunday.

Rookie Zach Dezenzo had two hits with an RBI for Houston, which did all its scoring in the first two innings. The Astros’ Hector Neris, Ryan Pressly and Shawn Dubin (two saves) combined to hold Cleveland to two hits over the final three innings.

Houston made Cleveland’s Ben Lively (13-10) throw 29 pitches in the first inning, but managed only one run. Back-to-back singles from Kyle Tucker and Victor Caratini put runners on the corners. With two outs, Dezenzo dropped an RBI single into left field.

Will Brennan led off Cleveland’s first with a double into the right field corner. After Kyle Manzardo struck out, Brennan scored when Ramirez hit his 39th homer, which tied his career high.

However, things got worse for Lively in the second. He allowed a single to Jake Meyers and hit Grae Kessinger with a pitch, but retired the next two batters. Then Lively issues back-to-back walks to Caratini and Jon Singleton to tie the score. He got Dezenzo to hit a grounder to short, but Brayan Rocchio bounced his throw to first and past Manzardo, allowing two runs.

Cleveland got a run back in the bottom of third against Verlander. Brennan roped his second double of the night, went to third on Manzardo’s groundout and scored via Ramirez’s sacrifice fly to left field.

Lively, meanwhile, lasted four innings, allowing four runs — two earned — with five hits and four walks. He struck out four.

Ramirez doubled off Pressly to lead off the eighth and reached third on Josh Naylor’s groundout. However, Ramirez was thrown out in a rundown between third and home after Lane Thomas’ bouncer back to Pressly.

–Field Level Media