Detroit Tigers cruise past Houston Astros, 8-2

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal received a standing ovation from fans as he left the field in the seventh inning.

He deserves a lot of credit for this victory.

But the Tigers’ offense stole the show, exploding for seven runs in the second inning in Saturday’s 8-2 victory over the Houston Astros in the second of three games in the series at Comerica Park.

Kerry Carpenter, who hadn’t homered since April 17, hit two of three home runs for the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Kerry Carpenter (30) celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run against the Houston Astros in the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit, Saturday, May 11, 2024.

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Skubal, however, anchored the Tigers (20-19) because he kept the Astros at bay. The 27-year-old, who has a 2.02 ERA in eight starts this season, has allowed two runs on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in 6⅓ innings, throwing 97 pitches.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, when Astros right-hander Cristian Javier walked Riley Greene on four pitches with the bases loaded.

Detroit Tigers right fielder Mark Canha (21) celebrates a grand slam against the Houston Astros with teammates during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit, Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The next batter, Mark Canha, hit a changeup up the middle for a grand slam to left-center field, making the score 5-0. Two batters later, the Tigers extended their lead to 7-0 on a two-run homer from Carpenter.

Canha hit the 393-foot changeup with an exit velocity of 102.9 mph; Carpenter hit Javier’s fastball 350 feet to right field with an exit velocity of 106.5 mph.

It was Canha’s third career grand slam.

Carpenter’s leadoff homer chased Javier, who was making his first start after a four-week stint on the injured list with neck discomfort, in his fifth start of the season.

Javier allowed seven runs on five hits and four walks in 1⅓ innings, with no strikeouts. His ERA dropped from 1.54 to 4.01 after the Tigers welcomed him back from the injured list.

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Tarik Skubal shines

Skubal threw first-pitch strikes to 21 of 28 batters.

The left-hander, who retired the first six batters he faced, appeared to be in complete control throughout his eighth start of the season, even though the Astros scored two runs in the fourth inning and applied pressure in seventh.

A Jeremy Peña double in the fourth inning led to the Astros’ first run, as Alex Bregman delivered a one-out RBI single, and before Skubal could retire second, Yainer Diaz singled to drive in the second and final point for the Astros. .

Skubal worked around a pair of two-out singles in the fifth inning with three strikeouts, dismissing Joey Loperfido (strike called, 87.6 mph changeup), Jose Altuve (swing hit, 98.6 mph fastball) and Alex Bregman (swing strike, 98.4 mph fastball).

The Astros threatened and chased Skubal in the seventh inning with a walk and a single, but not before Skubal got Altuve out. Right-handed reliever Shelby Miller replaced Skubal, only to hit the leadoff batter in the shoulder to load the bases.

With the bases saturated, the always dangerous Yordan Alvarez launched into a double play at the end of the inning. Shortstop Zach McKinstry’s bouncer nearly pulled first baseman Spencer Torkelson off the bag, but he dragged his right foot across the base while fielding the ball in the dirt to escape the jam without any damage.

It was a key play with the glove of Torkelson, who also extended his hitting streak to six games with a ground single to right field on a 96.5 mph fastball from right-handed reliever Hunter Brown (Wayne State) in third round.

Skubal generated 15 whiffs on 51 swings – a 29.4% whiff rate – with six changeups, four fastballs, a sinker and four sliders. He threw the first 100 mph pitch of his MLB career to Diaz, resulting in a foul ball, in the second inning, his 22nd pitch of the game.

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