Kyle Tucker shines, but Houston Astros fall to Detroit Tigers 6-3

The Houston Astros dropped their third straight game on Tuesday night, 6-3 to the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park.

Not enough offense

The Astros (2-4) were held to just three runs by a combined effort from Detroit’s starter Matt Manning, Jason Foley, Chasen Shreve, and Trey Wingenter.

Houston scored only two runs before the ninth inning, when a ground ball from Martin Maldonaldo allowed Corey Julks to score and narrow the deficit to 6-3.

Kyle Tucker had a solid night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Tucker brought Alex Bregman around to score with a single to left field in the first inning. He also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, which at the time made the score 2-1 in the Astros’ favor.

Miscues

Starting pitcher Framber Valdez allowed two earned runs and one unearned run in his second start of the year. Detroit (2-3) got on the board in the first inning with a double from Spencer Torkelson that brought Javier Baez home. Baez reached base on a fielder’s choice.

The Tigers scored runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. Detroit’s Jonathan Schoop began the fifth with a single, later advanced to second on a wild pitch from Valdez, and scored another single by Jake Rogers.

Detroit scored another run in the sixth inning. Riley Greene reached with an infield single, and Torkelson followed with another single that put runners at first and second. Moments later, both advanced on a passed ball error by Houston catcher Martin Maldonado. Eric Haase grounded out in the next at-bat, scoring Greene for the Tigers’ go-ahead run.

Valdez pitched seven innings, allowed eight hits, and had nine strikeouts.

The Tigers padded their lead on a two-run home run from Torkleson in the eighth inning off Astros reliever Ryne Stanek. Matt Vierling added an insurance run in the ninth on a double that brought Ryan Kreidler around to score and make it 6-2.

News and Notes

• Lance McCullers Jr., who is currently on the injured list for the Astros with a strained right forearm muscle he suffered during spring training, said he is ahead of schedule with his rehab.

• The Houston Astros’ game against the Minnesota Twins that was scheduled for Thursday afternoon has been postponed to Friday instead because of snow and cold temperatures. First pitch between Houston and Minnesota will be at 3:10 p.m. CT.

Up Next

The Astros will look to salvage one game from the series against over the Tigers on Wednesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m., and Cristian Javier is expected to get the start on the mound for Houston.