HOUSTON (AP) — Chas McCormick and Martín Maldonado hit consecutive homers and Luis Garcia worked seven strong innings as the Houston Astros stretched their winning streak to a season-high five games with a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
McCormick’s two-run homer to center in the second inning put the Astros up 2-1. Maldonado followed with a solo shot that just cleared the wall in right field.
Garcia (2-1) had his best outing of the season, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits. He struck out nine, matching his career high. The right-hander retired the final 15 batters he faced, including five straight by strikeout at one point.
Phil Maton pitched a perfect eighth, and Rafael Montero retired the three batters he faced in the ninth for his third save. Astros pitchers retired the final 21 Detroit batters.
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the second on an RBI groundout by Tucker Barnhart. Detroit cut Houston’s lead to 3-2 in the third on an RBI groundout by Jeimer Candelario.
Detroit starter Beau Brieske (0-2) surrendered three runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts in five innings. The rookie right-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his first three big league starts.
Detroit, which lost its third straight, was 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Houston was 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: OF Austin Meadows was scratched from the lineup with a non-COVID-19 illness. Robbie Grossman started in right field in Meadows’ place.
UP NEXT
LHP Framber Valdez (1-2, 3.42 ERA) starts Saturday for Houston looking for his first win since beating the Angels on April 7. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (0-2, 5.33) is seeking his first win for the Tigers after struggling this season and allowing at least three runs in each of his five starts.
