TG Fantasy Baseball

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros allowed 14 hits on Monday night against the Detroit Tigers.

They were able to escape with a win despite all the traffic on the bases by making big pitches when it mattered most.

Yuli Gurriel had two hits and drove in two runs as the Astros built a lead with a big first inning and held on for the 5-4 victory.

The Astros jumped on Detroit starter Edwin Jackson (3-6) for four runs in the first inning to go on top 4-1. They led by 3 when Detroit's Ronny Rodriguez hit a solo homer in the sixth before Travis Demeritte added one in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-4.

Detroit had runners at first and third with two outs in the eighth, but Will Harris struck out Demeritte to preserve the lead. Roberto Osuna allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his 28th save as the Astros won their second straight after losing five in a row.

"We had to work pretty hard for that win and I think our pitching staff (was) able to get some key punch outs when we needed it," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We stranded a lot of their runners, we had a big first inning with some two-out hits and we won ... credit to a lot of different guys."

Houston starter Wade Miley (12-4) allowed a season-high 10 hits, but just one of them was for extra bases, and three runs in 5 2/3 innings to win his sixth straight decision. He struck out eight without a walk.

The Tigers were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

Detroit designated hitter Miguel Cabrera had two hits and drove in a run before he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the fifth inning. Manager Ron Gardenhire was also ejected in that inning after yelling at home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez about Cabrera's ejection.

Gardenhire didn't speak to reporters after the game, with bench...

HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel had two hits and drove in two runs as the Houston Astros built a lead with a big first inning and held on for a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.

The Astros jumped on Detroit starter Edwin Jackson (3-6) for four runs in the first inning to go on top 4-1. They led by 3 when Detroit's Ronny Rodriguez hit a solo homer in the sixth before Travis Demeritte added one in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-4.

Detroit had runners at first and third with two outs in the eighth, but Will Harris struck out Demeritte to preserve the lead. Roberto Osuna allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his 28th save as the Astros won their second straight after losing five in a row.

Houston starter Wade Miley (12-4) allowed a season-high 10 hits, but just one of them was for extra bases, and three runs in 5 2/3 innings to win his sixth straight decision. He struck out eight without a walk.

Detroit designated hitter Miguel Cabrera had two hits and drove in a run before he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the fifth inning. Manager Ron Gardenhire was also ejected in that inning after yelling at home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez about Cabrera's ejection.

Yordan Alvarez and Robinson Chirinos also drove in runs for the Astros on a night shortstop Carlos Correa left after the first inning with back discomfort.

Jackson yielded seven hits and five runs — four earned — in six innings for his first loss with the Tigers this season after winning his first two starts.

The Tigers led 1-0 after an RBI single by Cabrera in the first inning.

Michael Brantley walked with one out in the bottom of the inning before a single by Alex Bregman. Alvarez's double scored Brantley to tie it up. There were two outs in the inning when Gurriel doubled to center...

DETROIT (AP) — Ten years later, Edwin Jackson still loves Detroit and Comerica Park.

Friday night, the feeling was mutual.

Jackson pitched neatly into the seventh inning in his return to Detroit, overcoming an inside-the-park home run and leading the Tigers to a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Jackson (2-5) spent the 2009 season with the Tigers, going 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA and playing in his only All-Star Game. Ten years later, he was just as good, allowing one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings.

"Ever since 2009, Detroit has felt like home to me," he said. "I loved that year and I've always looked forward to coming back, no matter who I was with. Tonight, though, was really special."

The Tigers, who topped Kansas City a day earlier, posted back-to-back wins at home for the first time since they swept the Royals in their first home series of the season. Detroit, which has the worst record in the majors, hadn't won two straight anywhere since a three-game winning streak in Baltimore and Atlanta from May 28-31.

Jackson, who has pitched for a major league-record 14 teams, began this season on a minor league deal with Oakland before being purchased by the Blue Jays in May.

The 35-year-old right-hander made eight appearances for Toronto, including five starts, but was released in July with a 11.12 ERA. He signed with the Tigers and made two starts in Triple-A before being called up Thursday.

"Edwin has seen a lot of things and been a lot of places, and he still appreciates every moment he gets in the big leagues," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was fantastic."

Whit Merrifield led off the game with his second career inside-the-park homer. His line drive evaded the leap of center fielder Victor Reyes and bounced hard off the wall. As Reyes and fellow...

DETROIT (AP) — Edwin Jackson pitched neatly into the seventh inning in his return to the Detroit Tigers, overcoming an inside-the-park home run to lead off the game and beating the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Friday night.

The Tigers, who topped Kansas City a day earlier, posted back-to-back wins at home for the first time since they swept the Royals in their first home series of the season. Detroit, which has the worst record in the majors, hadn't won two straight anywhere since a three-game winning streak in Baltimore and Atlanta from May 28-31.

Jackson (2-5) spent the 2009 season with the Tigers, going 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA and played in his only All-Star Game. Ten years later, he was just as good, allowing one run on four hits and two walks.

The 35-year-old righty, who has pitched for a major league record 14 teams, began this season with Toronto. He gave up a one-out single in the seventh and was replaced by Nick Ramirez, drawing a standing ovation on his walk back to the dugout and applauding the fans in return.

Whit Merrifield led off the game with his second career inside-the-park homer. His line drive evaded the leap of center fielder Victor Reyes and bounced hard off the wall. As Reyes and fellow outfielders Harold Castro and Travis Demeritte chased down the ball, Merrifield circled the bases and scored easily.

Tigers reliever John Schreiber, who grew up 25 miles south of Comerica Park, made his major league debut by pitching the ninth. The first hitter he faced, Jorge Soler, homered on a 3-1 pitch, and he allowed two more hits while getting two outs.

Joe Jimenez retired Nicky Lopez to end the game and earn his first save. He took over as closer when All-Star closer Shane Greene was traded to Atlanta.

Brad Keller (7-12) allowed five runs on 10 hits and three...