Detroit Tigers: Astros walk off, win series rubber match, 6-5

The Detroit Tigers showed quite a bit of fight over the weekend and in particular, on Sunday, but Jose Altuve‘s walk off hit lifted the Astros to a, 6-5, victory and series win over the Tigers.

Detroit relief pitcher Tom Gorzelanny recorded the first two outs of the ninth before yielding a triple to Astros No. 9 hitter Jake Marisnick. Gorzelanny made a mistake, throwing a pitch too far inside, and Marisnick killed it off the wall in right-center field.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus yanked Gorzelanny before the next batter, but on Alex Wilson‘s first pitch, Altuve hit a line drive over Anthony Gose‘s head to win it.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

After taking an early two-run lead in the first, the Tigers fell behind, 5-2, by the third. Detroit starter Matt Boyd conquered his first inning struggles on Sunday, but he failed to get out of the second unscathed. Tigers fans feared Boyd might struggle because the Astros lead the league in home runs and Minute Maid Park is not very kind to fly ball pitchers.

That fear became reality.

Boyd yielded a home run to Colby Rasmus to lead off the second. After a walk and two outs, three straight hits helped the Astros tack on three more runs as they took the lead, 4-2. Boyd fell victim to the long ball again as Rasmus hit another solo shot in the third to give the Astros a three-run lead.

The Tigers battled back, however, mostly behind first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who hit a two-run shot to right field in the seventh to bring the Tigers within a run. Detroit tied it in the eighth on left fielder Tyler Collins‘ single.

To begin the frame, right fielder J.D. Martinez reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. In the next at-bat, Collins was obviously trying to hit the ball to the right side to advance Martinez to third, but he did one better. Collins’ grounder beat the shift, and Martinez scored on his single to tie the game.

Detroit had their chance to take the lead in the ninth with the top of the order coming up, however, only Cabrera was able to reach base via a walk. He was 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs and two walks on Sunday.

Collins had three hits, going 3-for-4 while Martinez was 2-for-4. Cabrera, Collins and Martinez combined for seven of the Tigers nine hits.

Boyd pitched five innings and allowed five runs on six hits. He also had four strikeouts, three walks and yielded two home runs. Boyd is 1-2 as a starter with the Tigers.

Detroit will have Monday off and then take on the red hot Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. The Cubs have won 15 of their last 17 games, but they did lost to their crosstown rival and Chris Sale on Sunday.

Next: Fantasy Baseball: Five Hottest Second-Half AL Central Relief Pitchers