Houston lost the first but won the second
Astros' winning streak ends in doubleheader split with Tigers
Jun 26, 2021, 7:34 pm
Carlos Correa's go-ahead homer helped lift the Astros to win the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Carlos Correa's go-ahead homer helped lift the Astros to win the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday.
After rain postponed Friday's matchup, and Houston's chance to extend their winning streak against the Tigers, they suited up for two seven-inning games on Saturday to catch up. They would lose the first to end their winning streak but started a new one by taking the second game to split the two games.
Game 1
Final Score (7 innings): Tigers 3, Astros 1
Astros' Record: 47-29, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Casey Mize (5-4)
Losing Pitcher: Framber Valdez (4-1)
Valdez pitches all six innings but is handed his first loss of the year
After a quick ten-pitch 1-2-3 first for Framber Valdez, the Tigers would get to him in the second, turning a leadoff single into a run after a one-out single and sac fly, putting Detroit ahead 1-0. He rebounded with a scoreless third and fourth, but a leadoff single would once again bite him in the bottom of the fifth as a two-run homer would put him into a 3-1 hole.
He remained on the mound in the bottom of the sixth, during which he erased another single to keep it a two-run game. However, Houston would not bail him out in the top of the seventh, meaning Valdez would get the loss, his first of the season, despite a complete-game (6 innings) quality start: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 86 P.
Houston's winning streak ends at eleven
Houston's offense, which had been scorching hot as of late, was held to just one run in the first game, which came on a two-out RBI single by Carlos Correa in the top of the third, at the time tying the game. All six of their hits were singles on the day, getting no extra-base hits in the loss that snapped their eleven-game winning streak.
Game 2
Final Score: Astros 3, Tigers 2
Astros' Record: 48-29, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Lance McCullers Jr. (5-1)
Losing Pitcher: Michael Fulmer (4-4)
McCullers Jr. pitches into the sixth
Lance McCullers Jr. had a rough first inning in game two, giving up a single and a walk with one out before an RBI single would put the Tigers in front 1-0. After that 26-pitch frame, though, he was able to settle in and retire 11 in a row to keep it a one-run game while Houston's offense continued to try and re-spark their bats.
Detroit put up another one-run inning against him in the bottom of the fifth, getting a one-out single, which would later score on a two-out RBI single to double their lead to 2-0. He finished the fifth and returned in the sixth, but after a one-out double, he would see his day end. His final line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 89 P.
Astros get the comeback win to split the doubleheader
As their outs started to run out, Jose Altuve led the top of the sixth off with a double to bring the tying run to the plate. After two outs, Yordan Alvarez would make the most of it, getting a two-run game-tying homer. Carlos Correa fed off the energy, blasting a go-ahead solo homer in the next at-bat, giving the Astros their first lead of the game 3-2.
Yordan. Correa. Back-to-back for the lead! pic.twitter.com/AQaXAlU5EH
— MLB (@MLB) June 27, 2021
After McCullers Jr. left with one out in the bottom of the sixth, Houston turned to Ryne Stanek, who could strand an inherited runner on second to send the one-run game to the seventh. Then, with it still 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Ryan Pressly came in to try and close things out and did so to notch another save on the year, and giving Houston the split in the doubleheader with a chance to win the series on Sunday.
Up Next: The fourth and final game of this series will be a 12:10 PM Central first pitch on Sunday. Jake Odorizzi (2-3, 4.75 ERA) will be on the mound for Houston, opposite Tarik Skubal (4-7, 4.33 ERA) for Detroit.
Sunday night matchups don't get much exciting than this, as the Houston Texans host the Detroit Lions in prime-time at NRG.
The Lions come into this game on a six-game winning streak looking every bit of the best team in football. Houston on the other hand has lost two of their last three games with a struggling offense unable to protect their quarterback.
CJ Stroud has only one passing touchdown over this span, and is clearly having trouble adjusting to life without Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins.
If Houston is going to come away with an upset victory, they will need big performances from Tank Dell and Joe Mixon. After catching 4 passes against the Colts two weeks ago, Mixon not only failed to catch a single pass against the Jets, but he wasn't even targeted.
Considering the Texans' offensive line issues, choosing not to use Mixon as a pass catcher is hard to fathom. Especially since he and Dell are the team's top 2 playmakers.
What's working in the Texans' favor?
They play this game at home, where they are undefeated this season. A lot of the team's protection issues have popped up on the road, so communication should be easier for the offense on their home turf.
Bulls on Parade
We have good news and bad news about the defense this week. On the positive side, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jimmy Ward have returned to practice. If they're able to contribute on Sunday night, that would give the defense a lift.
And now for the bad news. Will Anderson has yet to practice this week after rolling his ankle in the Jets game. If he is unable to practice on Friday, it's hard to imagine he'll be active against Detroit.
X-factors
The Texans have to show some improvement on the offensive line this week.
Houston must lean on Joe Mixon again, as Nico Collins isn't expected to play.
Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league, and he does most of his damage from the slot. If the Texans continue to deploy Jalen Pitre against premier receivers in man coverage, St. Brown is going to light up the scoreboard.
What would a win over the Lions mean to Houston?
The Texans are no longer considered a true championship contender because of their losses to the Packers, Vikings, and Jets. In fact, the Bills are the only team with a winning record that the Texans have beaten.
An upset win over the streaking Lions would change that narrative.
What does Vegas think?
The Lions are currently favored by 3.5 and the total is set at 49 points.
Don't miss the full preview of Texans-Lions in the video above!
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