Tigers prevail over Astros 7-4, as Javier Báez delivers his 9th career grand slam.
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🎉 Houston, we've got a Báez-blast! 🎉 Javy Báez, the powerhouse Tiger, slammed a no-doubter, his ninth career grand slam, against the mighty Houston Astros on Wednesday, securing a 7-4 victory and avoiding a series sweep.
Báez's thunderous swing sent a high sweeper over the left-field scoreboard, capping a five-run third inning. The rally was kick-started by shortstop Jeremy Pena's error on Kerry Carpenter's grounder, making all five runs unearned for the Astros.
Riley Greene continued his hot streak, racking up four hits, matching his career best.
The Tigers' bullpen, led by Brenan Hanifee (2-0), showcased their might, silencing Houston in two scoreless innings. Starter Jackson Jobe struggled a bit, giving up three runs, four hits, and four walks in three innings. But the Tigers' offense managed to pull their weight, winning five out of seven and nine out of thirteen.
24-year-old rookie AJ Blubaugh (0-1) dealt with a baptism-by-fire experience, striking out two in a 1-2-3 first inning, but yielding seven runs - two earned - and five hits in four innings. He also managed a substantial six strikeouts and a walk.
Jeremy Pena sparked the Astros' offense with a leadoff home run, his first career long ball, but Colt Keith retaliated with a two-run homer in the second inning, putting the Tigers ahead for good.
Jose Altuve and Victor Caratini's homers in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively, kept Houston's hopes alive. However, the Astros faltered in crucial situations, going just 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and leaving a disappointing 12 runners stranded.
The Showstopper
Báez's grand slam was the pièce de résistance.
Striking Stat
The Astros allowed five unearned runs in the third inning on April 27, marking a significant increase from the three unearned runs they'd surrendered in their first 29 games.
Coming up
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (1-3, 4.00 ERA) heads to Chicago's South Side to open a three-game series with the White Sox on Friday night.
Tigers: RHP Casey Mize (4-1, 2.12 ERA) gets the nod against the California Angels and LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 4.31) in a four-game series opener, slated for Thursday night.
🌐 Bonus Insights:Jávy Báez, a versatile power-hitter, has proven himself a vital asset to the Detroit Tigers with crucial home runs like walk-off three-run homers in recent games[3]. His dynamic play style, marked by a powerful arm and prolific hitting, led him to achieve notable milestones, including grand slams, in his career[2]. For stats from the April 27 game, please refer to detailed game logs or sports databases from that time. Unfortunately, the current information does not include the exact statistics from that specific date and match.
Baez's grand slam was the game-winning hit, becoming a highlight in MLB sports. In a surprising turn of events, the Astros allowed five unearned runs during the third inning on April 27, a considerable increase compared to their previous games.
