5 critical factors tied to Gerrit Cole's hamstring

POINT BLANK PRESENTED BY FITZ ROOFING

Houston received a scare when Gerrit Cole was scratched from his start earlier this week because of a sore hamstring.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch recently said he expects Cole to be ready to pitch next week, and Cole's injury wasn't serious.

ESPN 97.5's Joel Blank weighs in on when Cole should return to the mound, and why coming back too soon could be a big mistake. Point Blank is presented by Fitz Roofing.

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The Astros beat the Tigers, 6-4. Composite Getty Image.

Yainer Diaz run-scoring singles in consecutive innings, rookie Ryan Gusto matched a season high with six strikeouts and the Houston Astros beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Tuesday night.

The Astros scored three runs in the sixth and seventh innings — all with two outs — for a 6-2 lead.

Diaz hit a two-run single that bounced just in front of center fielder Riley Greene, giving Houston its first lead at 3-2 in the sixth. He singled in Isaac Paredes in the seventh.

Yordan Alvarez had an RBI single on a bouncer up the middle in the seventh for a 4-2 lead. Alvarez scored from first when Isaac Paredes hit a shot off the base of the wall in left for his third career triple.

Gleyber Torres hit a two-run homer in the ninth to get Detroit within two runs. He was 3 for 5 with three RBIs.

Josh Hader struck out Zach McKinstry to end the game as Houston won for the eighth time in its last nine home games.

Bennett Sousa (1-0) struck out the final two Detroit batters in the fifth, stranding runners at second and third. He had three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

Gusto allowed four hits and two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Jose Altuve hit second in the Astros lineup for the second straight game and went 0 for 4.

Key moment

The Astros did not have a runner in scoring position until there were two outs in the sixth. Then, Christian Walker hit a shot off the wall in left for an RBI double that pulled the Astros within 2-1 and chased starter Reese Olson (3-2).

Key stat

Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña has hit safely in 18 of his last 19 games.

Up next

Detroit RHP Jackson Jobe (2-0, 2.70 ERA) will start the final game of the series on Wednesday. Houston has not announced a starter.

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