Despite the fact that they had just watched Justin Verlander yield six earned runs to a 62–92 Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros fans recognized how special the moment in front of them was as manager Joe Espada emerged from the dugout to take the ball from the 41-year-old righthander in the fifth inning of Friday's game at Minute Maid Park.

In what might have been his final start at Minute Maid Park as a member of the Astros, Justin Verlander got hit hard again Friday, this time surrendering six runs in 4 2/3 innings against an unimpressive Angels lineup.

Justin Verlander, who has struggled since coming off the injured list last month, was rocked for six runs Friday night and said he "came back from the neck injury a little fast"

Justin Verlander is struggling immensely since coming back from a neck injury late last month, and it has put his status in the Houston Astros’ playoff rotation into question. Verlander allowed six runs on eight hits Friday in just 4.

Justin Verlander missed almost two months this summer with a neck injury. After his latest tough start on Friday night in Houston’s 9-7 win over the Angels, the 41-year-old right-hander said he should have taken more time to recover.