DETROIT -- Kerry Carpenter’s two-run home run helped slug the Tigers out of a three-game losing streak with a three-homer onslaught against Spencer Arrighetti in an 8-0 win over the Astros on Friday night at Comerica Park.
The win had a direct impact on the Tigers’ postseason chances. Houston entered the day in a virtual tie for the third and final American League Wild Card spot. The Tigers entered the day five games back.
After three straight losses by two runs or fewer, the Tigers' offense erupted for a three-run third inning and five-run fourth to take the suspense out of this one. Arrighetti struck out four of Detroit’s first eight hitters, surviving back-to-back two-out walks in the second inning, before a leadoff walk in the third, a Kevin McGonigle single, a run-scoring error and Carpenter’s 11th home run of the season – a 412-foot drive to right – put the Tigers in control.
Colt Keith’s drive off the right-field foul pole led off the fourth inning before James Outman’s three-run homer put the Tigers up a touchdown. McGonigle’s second stolen base of the game put him in position to score on Dillon Dingler’s bloop single to shallow center, which was Dingler’s 58th RBI of the season – setting a new single-season high for him.
Keider Montero (4-5) tossed seven scoreless innings on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts, his third outing of six or more scoreless innings in his last five starts.