Astros right-hander Justin Verlander came off the 15-day injured list Wednesday and allowed four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in five innings in a 4-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Houston.
It was Verlander\'s first start since June 9. He had been out with stiffness in his neck.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw 76 pitches after tossing 57 in his second rehabilitation start Thursday.
\"I felt good,\" Verlander said. \"I felt like the stuff was pretty good and as the game went along the location started to hone in and the mechanics felt good. So I was happy about it.\"
Via ESPN.com