Tigers 5 - 3 Astros
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Apr 16, 2016 - 5:48 AM A stellar performance from their ace allowed the Houston Astros to win even while their lineup continued to scuffle.

Justin Verlander will try to help the Detroit Tigers respond with another successful outing against the Astros on Saturday night, but he'll have to shake off a miserable performance from his latest start.

Dallas Keuchel preserved the Astros' slim lead through eight innings in a 1-0 victory in Friday's series opener, ending their three-game slide. Houston (4-7) registered five singles, with Colby Rasmus' driving in the game's lone run in the first.

The Astros have totaled seven runs in their last four games while batting .193. That's not a promising sign as they get set to face Verlander, who is 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA in five lifetime matchups against them.

He didn't give up a run in seven innings in his lone start versus Houston last season, a 4-2 road victory Aug. 15. Verlander has gone at least seven scoreless in three starts against the Astros.

The right-hander wasn't nearly as sharp in a 7-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday, getting tagged for seven runs and 10 hits over 4 1-3 innings. Verlander (0-1, 8.71 ERA) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning in his season debut April 5 in Miami, an 8-7 win in 11 innings.

"It was kind of one of those days where the hard-hit balls found gaps. The ones that weren't hit hard ended up being base hits. I was never able to get comfortable out there. There were baserunners on all the time," he said. "You don't want to have a start like that, but you have to stay positive.

"I know historically I've been somebody that takes a few starts to get rolling. My Aprils historically aren't great. They're a little up and down but once it clicks, it goes."

The Tigers (6-2) produced 22 runs and 33 hits in their three consecutive wins before heading into Houston, and they had scored at least four runs in each of their first eight games. They'll try to get back on track while keeping Collin McHugh (1-1, 6.14) from building on his 8-2 win over visiting Kansas City on Monday.

The right-hander scattered eight hits over seven scoreless innings while rebounding from the worst outing of his career. McHugh recorded just one out in a 16-6 loss at the New York Yankees on April 6 and was charged with six runs.

"He was exceptional and he pitched with a purpose tonight," manager A.J. Hinch said. "I am glad he made the adjustment from being a careful pitcher dancing around the strike zone to attacking them with all of his pitches."

McHugh went 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his two starts against Detroit, both last season. He yielded one run in seven innings while fanning seven in a 4-2, 11-inning loss at Minute Maid Park on Aug. 15.

He only avoided taking the loss in that game when Preston Tucker homered in the ninth.

Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, batting .350 in his first nine games, is 1 for 7 against McHugh.






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