Verlander earns 11th win, leading Astros past Royals 5-2

By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander got his 11th win, Yordan Alvarez hit his 26th homer and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 to take the series 3-1. Jose Altuve added a homer and three RBIs for the Astros. They bounced back after a 7-4 loss Wednesday night that snapped an eight-game winning streak. Verlander grinded through six innings, allowing seven hits and two runs — one earned — with eight strikeouts to lower his ERA to 2.00 in his return from Tommy John surgery. His ERA, opponent average and WHIP all rank second in the American League.