Joel Blank: Can the Astros pull off another miracle at the deadline?

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The Orioles burned the Astros at the trade deadline last year. Photos by Getty Images

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching and the Astros are going to miss out on the best relief pitchers on the market if they don't make a move soon. Orioles closer Zach Britton and Reds closer Raisel Iglesias are the two big-names the Astros have been rumored to be interested in, but is Astros GM Jeff Luhnow willing to give up enough to make a deal happen? Adding an impact player after the non-waiver trade deadline like the Astros did last year with Justin Verlander, is not very likely.

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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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