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Astros seek split with Tigers

May 24, 2015 - 12:31 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Astros look to finish off their four-game road stint strong in the final game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park Sunday.

Houston trots Roberto Hernandez out to the mound, while Detroit will go with Anibal Sanchez, who has had a bumpy ride to start the new campaign.

The veteran Hernandez is in his first year with Houston, and has been a bit inconsistent to start the year. He owns a 2-3 record headed into Sunday's start with a 3.99 earned run average and 23 strikeouts.

Hernandez got the starting nod Tuesday against Oakland and picked up the victory - his first in nearly a month - after lasting six innings and allowing seven hits with two runs.

In 21 appearances and 18 starts against Detroit in his career, Hernandez owns an 8-7 record and a 4.16 ERA, limiting opponents to a .268 batting average.

The 31-year-old Sanchez is hoping to get back on track after he was demolished by Milwaukee on Tuesday in his most recent start. The Tigers starter allowed seven hits and seven earned runs (including three homers) in just 3 2/3 innings of work. Detroit had no shot in the 8-1 defeat.

Sanchez has lost two of his last three starts, and comes into Sunday's clash with a 3-5 record and a lofty 5.60 ERA. He's done well in the strikeout department, however, punching out 45 batters against only 15 walks.

He's dominated Houston throughout his career, owning a 4-1 record and a 2.15 ERA against the 'Stros in eight starts and 50 1/3 innings pitched.

Two young pitchers went head-to-head in Saturday's afternoon contest, but it was recent Double-A callup Lance McCullers that got the better of the Tigers in the 3-2 Houston victory.

McCullers was making his second career start, and threw six innings of six- hit, two-run ball that also included six strikeouts. Luke Gregerson entered in the ninth inning to shut the door on the Tigers for his 11th save of the season.

Detroit's own youngster, 25-year-old Kyle Lobstein, was hit with the loss but still had a strong outing, throwing 5 2/3 innings with three runs given up on seven hits. He fell to 3-5 on the season.

Jose Altuve, who entered Saturday leading the league with 177 at-bats, put Houston up 1-0 with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Anthony Gose had RBIs in the third and fifth innings for the Tigers to put them on top, but it wouldn't last long.

Jason Castro and Marwin Gonzalez each drove in runs for Houston in the sixth inning to give the 'Stros a permanent lead. Gonzalez was one of three Houston batters to record a pair of hits in the ballgame.

The victory for Houston ended a two-game skid.