DETROIT – The Astros are finding ways to win games, and Saturday’s 8-6 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park was another example of that. First baseman Christian Walker, who was 4-for-5 with two doubles and two singles, was the prime example of finding ways to make things happen.
Houston, which will be going for a fifth straight series win Sunday after taking two of the first three, trailed by two runs entering the seventh inning. But Walker had an RBI single in the seventh to bring the Astros within a run, and they passed the baton with a three-run rally in the eighth.
Yainer Diaz, Christian Vázquez and Jeremy Peña all singled to produce one run, with Peña advancing to second on an error by outfielder James Outman. Then, third baseman Isaac Paredes lined a two-out, two-run double to left to provide the go-ahead runs.
Rising reliever AJ Blubaugh came on to be the bridge to victory, holding Detroit scoreless in the sixth and seventh before Bryan King did likewise in the eighth.
Houston had Detroit right where it wanted.
Closer Josh Hader made it 7-for-7 in save opportunities since coming off the IL on June 2, and opponents are just 2-for-35 off him. He pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
Astros starter Kai-Wei Teng allowed four earned runs in 3 2/3 innings, but it didn’t end up mattering in the final outcome.
Houston found a way, and has now gone an MLB-best 21-13 since opening the season 20-31 (through May 20).