George Springer smacked a tie-breaking, two-run homer and Justin Verlander fired six strong innings as the Astros beat the Giants 4-1 to sweep a brief two-game set at Minute Maid Park. Verlander struck out nine while giving up just three hits and one run to improve to 6-and-2. He also lowered his ERA to an MLB-best 1.08 on the season. Ken Giles pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save. Houston has won 11 of its last 14 games. Buster Posey plated San Francisco's only run with a sac-fly in the fourth. Jeff Samardzija took the loss. The Giants have dropped five-of-seven.
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