James Outman hit a three-run homer to support seven strong innings from Keider Montero as the host Detroit Tigers blanked the Houston Astros 8-0 on Friday night.
Kerry Carpenter supplied a two-run homer, his 11th of the season, while Colt Keith contributed a solo blast. Kevin McGonigle reached base three times, stole two bases and scored two runs.
Montero (4-5) scattered five hits, walked one and stuck out three. The seven innings equaled Montero’s longest outing of the season. Enmanuel De Jesus pitched the last two innings to finish off the shutout.
Detroit snapped a three-game losing streak. The Astros saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti gave up eight runs and five hits in three-plus innings. He walked five and struck out seven. Nate Pearson tossed three innings of scoreless relief in the second game of a four-game series.
Jose Altuve was the only Houston player with multiple hits, accounting for two of the Astros’ five as they were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded six runners.
The Tigers took a 3-0 in the third inning. Outman drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a McGonigle single. As McGonigle stole second, Yainer Diaz’s throw went into center field, allowing Outman to score and McGonigle to reach third. Carpenter then launched a 3-1 fastball over the right-field wall.
Detroit extended its lead to 8-0 in the fourth. Keith led off the inning by smashing a cutter over the right-field wall. Zach McKinstry walked and Matt Vierling singled before Outman drove an Arrighetti fastball 407 feet over the right-field wall.
After McGonigle drew a walk, Arrighetti was replaced by Nate Pearson. McGonigle stole second and scored on Dillon Dingler’s bloop single.
Houston had two baserunners in the sixth as Taylor Trammell walked and Jeremy Pena singled. Montero then struck out Yordan Alvarez and retired Isaac Paredes on a foul pop.
The Astros also had two baserunners in the seventh after an Altuve single and a two-out double from Yainer Diaz. Montero then set down Cam Smith on a grounder.
