Verlander Passes Gibson in All-Time Strikeouts as Astros Thump A's

Verlander's day was through after 106 pitches. Relievers Phil Maton, Héctor Neris and Bryan Abreu combined for three-scoreless innings with an extra six strikeouts to the Astros' Saturday total.

After Saturday's outing, Verlander will be unavailable to pitch in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. The Cy Young candidate did not indicate he will skip the Summer Classic to reporters, leaving him among the many in the American League dugout at Dodger Stadium.

While calling a shutout, Martín Maldonado also provided the fireworks offensively. The right-hander stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in the second inning. Yuli Gurriel, Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick all reached base after the first two outs were retired.

On a 1-0 count, Maldonado tanked a center-cut, hanging slider from Jared Koening to center field. The grand slam marked the Astros' fourth of the season and the continued offensive success from Maldonado in July.

Maldonado is 11-for-37 on the month with four home runs and 10 RBI from the bottom of the order. While halfway through July, the 35-year-old is displaying his strongest offensive split of the season. 

McCormick provided an insurance run in the fourth with an RBI-single which scored Aledmys Díaz from third. The Astros' bats totaled only six hits — one less than the A's who were scoreless.

José Altuve also returned to the lineup in the leadoff spot Saturday. As the designated hitter, the righty went 1-for-4 with a strikeout. Manager Dusty Baker said Altuve was moving "good, not great" but could play second base Sunday, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle.

The Astros close out the first half of the season at 1:10 p.m. Sunday with Jack Odorizzi on the hill.