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Tigers-Astros Preview

Jun 27, 2009 - 6:04 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Detroit (41-32) at Houston (34-37), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Their seven-game winning streak over, the Detroit Tigers now have two games left to reverse a losing trend in NL parks.

Another defeat in Houston on Saturday would be their sixth in eight road games in interleague play, and the Astros will be looking for a third consecutive victory as they try to climb back into the crowded NL Central race.

Detroit (41-32) gave itself a cushion atop the AL Central with its second seven-game run of the season, but it blew a four-run lead and lost 5-4 to the Astros on Friday night.

After Placido Polanco's three-run home run gave the Tigers a 4-0 lead in the second inning, ace Justin Verlander and the bullpen faltered as the club's division lead slipped to four games.

It was the Tigers' fifth defeat in their last six road games after they lost series at Pittsburgh and St. Louis earlier this month. They are averaging 3.4 runs in seven games in NL parks.

Despite Friday's loss, home runs by Miguel Cabrera and Polanco extended Detroit's streak to 10 straight games with a homer - its longest such string since July 2007. The Tigers haven't homered in 11 straight since August of 2000.

Right-hander Alfredo Figaro enjoyed plenty of support in his major league debut last Saturday, getting the victory after allowing two runs in five innings of Detroit's 9-5 win over Milwaukee.

A cousin of Tigers closer Fernando Rodney, Figaro (1-0, 3.60 ERA) is filling the spot of the troubled Dontrelle Willis in the rotation.

"I thought the kid showed a lot of poise," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He didn't go out there and just try to throw every pitch by the Brewers - that's what you worry about with a young kid that throws hard. He tuned it up to 98 when he needed it against a real good hitting club."

Backing up the young Dominican, Polanco and Cabrera also homered in that game. It's not surprising that Cabrera has five homers in his last nine games, but Polanco's three in his last six contests were unexpected considering he had one in his first 61 games.

Houston (34-37) won without a home run Friday, improving to 15-9 since May 31 as Miguel Tejada's sacrifice fly in the eighth snapped a 4-all tie.

"For our team it's really, really big," Tejada said. "Now I think we get some games from other teams and that's what we'll continue to do."

Even with closer Jose Valverde unavailable, the Astros' bullpen pitched three shutout innings and has a 1.05 ERA in Houston's last 11 games. The team remains in fifth place in the NL Central, but it is just four games behind division-leading Milwaukee and only three back in the loss column.

The Astros hope right-hander Felipe Paulino (1-4, 6.18) can help their ascent as he comes off the disabled list. The right-hander has a win in relief this year, but he was 0-4 in eight starts before straining his groin earlier this month.

He has been much better at Minute Maid Park, with one loss and a 3.96 ERA in five starts there. Paulino's return required the Astros to designate veteran Brandon Backe for assignment.

The Tigers are still looking for their first-ever victory in Houston. In their only previous visit, they were swept in a three-game series July 15-17, 1999.