Justin Verlander secured his first win since May 24 by allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in the Houston Astros' 5-3 victory against the Los Angeles Angels. Despite a shaky start that included back-to-back walks and an RBI single, Verlander rebounded to retire 15 of the next 18 batters, improving his season ERA to 5.20. Yordan Alvarez hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth, while Kyle Tucker added a pinch-hit solo shot in the ninth, helping the Astros maintain their 4.5-game lead in the AL West. Verlander's performance marks a critical step as he aims for a spot in the Astros' playoff rotation following a challenging season affected by a neck injury. The Angels, now 60-88, have lost four straight games, struggling to avoid finishing last in the AL West for the first time since 1999. Overall, the Astros are looking to solidify their playoff positioning as the regular season draws to a close.