Astros 6, Tigers 5
HOUSTON -- Second baseman Jose Altuve drilled the first pitch from reliever Alex Wilson into center field, delivering the Houston Astros a 6-5 walk-off win over the Detroit Tigers and a series victory Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros (64-54) won or split 10 consecutive home series, extending that stretch with a two-out triple from right fielder Jake Marisnick off Tigers left-hander Tom Gorzelanny (1-2) just prior to a Detroit (56-61) pitching change and the Altuve game-winning single. The Tigers had rallied from a three-run deficit.
The Tigers initiated their comeback in the seventh when first baseman Miguel Cabrera ripped his 16th home run the opposite way to right off right-hander Chad Qualls, driving home center fielder Anthony Gose and cutting the deficit to 5-4. Detroit pulled even an inning later, opening the eighth with consecutive hits from corner outfielders J.D. Martinez and Tyler Collins, with Collins' single plating Martinez after the right fielder reached second on throwing error by third baseman Marwin Gonzalez.
Astros right-hander Will Harris (5-2) surrendered the run in the eighth, but he also struck out five batters to pick up the victory.
Astros right-hander Mike Fiers, making his first start in Houston since his non-waiver trade deadline acquisition from the Brewers, minimized the damage wrought by his faulty defense in the first inning, and then rallied to overcome his walking the first two batters in the third.
After the Astros rallied on his behalf with four runs in the second inning, Fiers walked shortstop Jose Iglesias and Cabrera before issuing three consecutive balls to designated hitter Victor Martinez. He escaped that pickle by getting Martinez to ground out to first base, striking out J.D. Martinez on three pitches, and inducing an inning-ending grounder off the bat of Collins to keep his lead.
Fiers retired nine consecutive batters before departing with one out and runners on the corners in the sixth. Astros right-hander Josh Fields stranded both inherited runners, but the Tigers later rallied against the two relievers who followed Fields from the Houston bullpen.
NOTES: Tigers LHP Kyle Lobstein made his third injury rehab start on Saturday night, allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings with Triple-A Toledo. Lobstein was placed on the disabled list on May 24 with left shoulder soreness. ... Astros OF George Springer is regaining range of motion in his right wrist via a throwing program, another step in his return from the disabled list. Springer, placed on the DL on July 2, lifted weights recently for the first time and is set to pick up a bat this week. ... Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is likely to serve as the designated hitter again sometime soon as he transitions back into the everyday lineup following a 35-game stint on the disabled list. Cabrera was the DH on Saturday night.