Late, but worth the wait.

Tigers 7, Astros 3

The Tigers traveled to Houston today to play an AL team for the first time and the small number of fans (16,000) who attended were treated to a close game. Rick Porcello (1-2, 26.1 IP, 7.18 ERA, 4.92 FIP, 0.1 WAR) gave the Tigers 7 solid innings, surrendering 3 runs on two homers while striking out 7 and walking none, while also allowing just 5 hits. He wouldn’t factor in the decision as he left the game down 3-2 before Martinez drove in Fielder in the 8th inning to tie the game at 3. Ortega, Benoit, and Putkonen held the Astros at bay while the Tigers threatened but didn’t score in innings 9 through 13, which set up an Austin Jackson lead off double in the 14th which begat two intentional walks followed by a go -ahead single by Don Kelly to make it 4-3 and a Matt Tuiasosopo double to make it 6-3 and a Jhonny Peralta sac fly to make it 7-3 and put the game out of reach. With the victory the Tigers improve to 16-11 on the season and have now won 7 of their last 9, not to mention their impressive 2-0 record in 14 inning games. They’ll be back at it later today behind Doug Fister (4-0, 34 IP, 2.38 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 0.9 WAR) in search of their 17th win.

The Moment: Kelly drives in Jackson to give the Tigers the lead in the 14th.