Avisail Garcia Hits 1st Career Home Run in a 7-5 Tigers Loss

The Detroit Tigers lost to the Houston Astros today 7-5.

The Astros took a quick 1-0 lead today, but the Tigers responded in the 2nd inning with a walk from Jhonny Peralta, then a single from Matt Tuiasosopo to set up runners on 1st and 3rd for Brayan Pena who hit an infield single to score Peralta. Avisail Garcia came up next and hit a 3-run home run to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead; it's his first career home run.

The Astros came back in the 4th inning to take a 5-4 lead, but the Tigers responded in the 6th inning with Victor Martinez reaching base on a fielding error, then a base hit from Jhonny Peralta to put runners on 1st and 2nd for Matt Tuiasosopo who hit a single to drive in Martinez and the game was tied 5-5.

Max Scherzer gave up 4 runs in the 4th inning, but after that he settled down. He pitched 7 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 7 batters.

Drew Smyly came in for relief and got the first 2 outs of the 8th inning, then Al Alburquerque came in to get the last out of the inning. Alburquerque came back out for the 9th inning, but walked the first batter and was pulled. Phil Coke replaced him and quickly gave up an inherited run, and the Astros went on to score another run off of Coke to take a 7-5 lead.

The Tigers attempted to rally in the 9th inning (despite allowing Don Kelly to pinch hit). With 1 out, Brayan Pena drew a walk, advanced to 2nd base on defensive indifference, then Omar Infante drew a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd for Torii Hunter who was hit by the pitch after being down in the count 0-2. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, Miguel Cabrera came up and hit a ball to the edge of the warning track in right-center field, but it ended the game.

The Tigers open up a 3 game road series with the Rangers tomorrow as Justin Verlander (4-3 1.93 ERA) pitches against Yu Darvish (6-1 2.73 ERA).

Picture credit: zimbio.com
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