Astros snap Tigers' winning streak with walk-off homer
6/28/2014HOUSTON — Jason Castro's solo homer in the 11th inning lifted the Houston Astros to a 4-3 win over Detroit on Friday night to snap the Tigers' seven-game winning streak.
Castro launched a pitch from Blaine Hardy (0-1) into the seats in right field with one out in the 11th to give Houston the victory.
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The Tigers tied it when Eugenio Suarez scored on an error in the eighth inning. Jake Buchanan (1-1) pitched a perfect 11th for his first major league win.
Jose Altuve had four hits, an RBI and two steals, including one of home, for the Astros. It was the MLB-leading 33rd multi-hit game this season for Altuve, who leads baseball with 111 hits. He also leads the American League with 32 stolen bases.
Altuve scored a run in the first and tied it up with a RBI double in the fifth. He stole home later that inning to give Houston a 3-2 lead.
First baseman Jon Singleton let a foul ball hit by Suarez drop for an error with no outs in the eighth inning. Suarez then drew a walk and reached second on a groundout by Torii Hunter for the second out.
Jonathan Villar's error on a ball hit by Miguel Cabrera allowed him to reach and Suarez to score to tie it at 3-3.
Nick Castellanos had a solo homer to give the Tigers the lead in the fourth inning and Ian Kinsler had three hits for his sixth straight multi-hit game, a career-high. He's second to Altuve with 32 multi-hit games this season.
It was the first trip to Houston as a manager for Detroit's Brad Ausmus, whose 10 seasons catching for the Astros included the franchise's only World Series appearance in 2005.
J.D. Martinez, who spent three seasons with the Astros before they released him in March, had two hits to snap his 14-game hitting streak a day after going 0 for 4.
L.J. Hoes singled to start Houston's fifth and took second on a throwing error by Justin Verlander on a pickoff attempt. Hoes reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Villar. Then Altuve went to work. His 24th double of the season scored Hoes to tie it 2-2.
George Springer singled and Altuve moved to third before Verlander tried to pickoff Springer at first with two outs.
Altuve broke on the throw and stole home, sliding under the attempted tag by Alex Avila, to put the Astros on top 3-2.
Martinez singled to start the second inning and advanced to second on a passed ball. He scored on a single by Avila with two outs to tie it at 1-1. But Avila was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double to end the inning.
Altuve led off the game with a single and stole second base. He advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out and scored on the same play on a throwing error by Avila to put Houston up 1-0.
Astros starter Brad Peacock allowed seven hits and two runs — one earned — in 6 2-3 innings after missing his last start recovering from food poisoning.
Verlander allowed six hits with three runs and eight strikeouts in six innings to remain winless since May 30.
NOTES: The series continues Saturday when Detroit's Max Scherzer opposes left-hander Dallas Keuchel. ... The Astros signed fourth-round draft pick RHP Daniel Mengden on Friday. ... Houston center fielder Dexter Fowler was scratched before the game because of tightness in his back. Alex Presley was moved from left field to center to take his place and Hoes was inserted in the lineup in left field.