Detroit Tigers Fall To Astros In Cabrera’s Return

Despite a 55-59 record, there was much anticipation surrounding Miguel Cabrera’s return to the Detroit Tigers’ lineup. It was the first game for the former MVP since suffering an injury against Toronto which landed Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list.

However, reality soon set in for a Tigers team which has disappointed in 2015, even with Cabrera on the field.

Detroit jumped out in front of Houston when Victor Martinez drove home Ian Kinsler in the top of the fourth inning.

It would prove to be their last run.

The Tigers were stifled by Houston ace Dallas Keuchel who continued his phenomenal 2015 campaign with yet another dominant performance at Minute Maid Park. In seven innings, Keuchel allowed just one earned run, and struck out eight.

The Houston left-hander was supported by an offense that forced Tigers’ starter Alfredo Simon out of the game after just five innings.

Simon shut down Houston’s powerful offense for four innings, but his dominance only lasted so long. In the fifth inning, after a Jose Altuve ground-out brought the tying run across, a Jed Lowrie double drove in two, and put Houston ahead for good.

Eventually, the Astros would score one more in the sixth inning, and another in the eighth inning before Luke Gregerson would retire Detroit in order in the top of the ninth and end the game.

Things will not get much easier for Detroit when they face off against Houston on Saturday. The Tigers will pit Justin Verlander against Houston’s Collin Mchugh who is 13-6 in 2015. Meanwhile, Verlander has struggled to regain his past form, and is only 1-5 with a 4.57 ERA.

However, in four of his last six starts, the former MVP has allowed one run, or less. Saturday night, Verlander will try and continue his recent success and force a rubber match with the Astros. The contest will take place at 7:10 and will be broadcast on Fox-Sports Detroit as well as 97.1 The Ticket.

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