Javier Baez's slam helps Tigers avoid sweep in Houston

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th April, 17:22 2025

Apr 30, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Tomas Nido (58) is helped up by Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) after scoring a run against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Javier Baez blasted a grand slam and the visiting Detroit Tigers salvaged the finale of a three-game series with a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon.

Colt Keith smacked a two-run homer and Riley Greene had four hits and scored two runs for Detroit.

Brenan Hanifee (2-0) got the win with two innings of scoreless relief. Tommy Kahnle got the last four outs for his fifth save.

Detroit starter Jackson Jobe gave up three runs and four hits with four walks and four strikeouts in four-plus innings.

Jeremy Pena and Victor Caratini homered for the Astros, who had won three in a row. Pena had three hits and scored two runs.

Houston starter AJ Bluebaugh made his major league debut. He gave up seven runs (two earned) on five hits in four innings. He walked one and struck out six.

The Astros struck first when Pena led off the bottom of the first with his homer to left-center.

Their lead didn't last long. Greene hit a leadoff single to right in the second before Keith clubbed an estimated 406-foot shot over the right field wall.

Detroit extended its lead to 7-1 with five runs in the third. Tomas Nido led off with a single and Kerry Carpenter reached on a throwing error by Pena. Nido scored on Zach McKinstry's sacrifice fly. One out later, Greene singled and Keith walked to load the bases. Baez emptied the bases by lifting a sweeper over the left field wall.

The Astros rallied in the fifth. Jake Meyers led off with a walk and Pena singled. Jose Altuve then lined a double to left, knocking in both runners. Pena singled after Brenan Hanifee replaced Jobe. Caratini walked to load the bases.

Hanifee escaped the jam by striking out Cam Smith and retiring Brendan Rodgers on a grounder.

Caratini made it 7-4 with a solo shot off Tyler Holton with two outs in the seventh. The next two batters singled but Holton responded by striking out Yainer Diaz.

The Tigers left two runners in scoring position in the eighth. The Astros did the same in the bottom of the inning.

--Field Level Media