Astros trio erupts for four homers in victory
Houston closes Grapefruit League slate with power, solid Humber start
Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez gave up three homers in five innings of work, with Astros catcher Jason Castro walloping a two-run shot to right-center field in the fifth inning that made it 9-4. Castro's six homers this spring are a team-high and match his regular-season total of last year.
Sanchez allowed 11 hits and nine runs in five innings, throwing 101 pitches.
Singleton, who will begin the season at Triple-A, homered to right field in the first inning and belted a second homer in the Astros' five-run third inning. Rick Ankiel also had a two-run double in the third and added a homer in the sixth.
Astros starter Philip Humber was rolling through the fourth before the Tigers took advantage of some poor defense and scored four times, including a three-run homer by Prince Fielder, to cut the Houston lead to 7-4. Humber pitched a 1-2-3 sixth.
"I don't think I could have asked for a better Spring Training as far as how I threw the ball and the results I got," said Humber, who will start Wednesday against the Rangers. "I couldn't be in a better position going into the season, but it's one day at a time. I feel healthy and feel I have all my pitches where I want them."
Up next: The Astros return to Houston to face the Chicago Cubs in an exhibition game at Minute Maid Park at 7:05 p.m. CT. Right-hander Alex White, who learned Thursday he would begin the season in the bullpen in long relief, will get the start for the Astros.