Astros sweep Tigers with 2-1 win; Verlander, Diaz return

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 14: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates hitting sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to score a runner from third base while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 14, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Astros sweep Tigers with 2-1 win; Verlander, Diaz return

Kyle Tucker homered and Alex Bregman hit a sacrifice fly to lead the Astros to a 2-1 victory in Detroit to complete the sweep of the Tigers.

It was definitely a pitcher’s duel on Wednesday between Cristian Javier and Detroit’s Joey Wentz. Both pitchers were masterful on the mound in Motor City. 

Besides the win, the Astros got more good news. Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander is expected to return to the mound Friday night, per Julia Morales. Also, Aledmys Díaz was activated from the IL, so the Astros are getting to full strength at the right time. Verlander has been dealing with a calf injury. Diaz has been out for a month with a groin injury.

As for Wednesday, both pitchers kept the bats at bay until the fourth inning when Tucker hit his 27th home run to right field to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. Bregman added to that lead in the next inning with a sacrifice fly, driving in David Hensley to give the Astros a 2-0 lead.

Javier was on fire, going 6 innings, striking out 8 Tigers, allowing only 2 hits before giving up the reins to Bryan Abreu in the 7th. Abreau retired two Tigers before giving up a home run to Javier Baéz in the bottom of the 7th to make it 2-1 Astros.

The Astros could not do anything in the 8th inning to increase their lead, so it was up to Ryne Stanek to help preserve the lead for the Astros in the bottom of the 8th inning. Stanek did give up a single to Detroit’s Jeimer Candelario but nothing more as he struck out Kody Clemens and forced two flyouts by Ryan Kreider and Riley Greene.

Ryan Pressly came into close the game for the Astros, he gave up one single to Javier Baez, but preserved the victory for the Astros.

News and Notes

Not so good: Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Yordan Alvarez was held out of the lineup once again due to his reoccurring hand soreness. Chandler Rome later reported that Alvarez said that his hand was fine and he was ready to play.

Up next: The Astros will play the Oakland Athletics tomorrow at 6:20 pm CT in Houston. The Astros will have Lance McCullers (3-1, 2.20 ERA) on the mound and the Oakland Athletics have yet to announce who will be facing him.

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