Detroit Tigers’ Javier Baez runs the bases after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Detroit Tigers’ Javier Baez hits a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Detroit Tigers’ Javier Baez hits a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Detroit Tigers’ Javier Baez (28) celebrates avert hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene (31), and Colt Keith (33) scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Detroit Tigers shortstop Trey Sweeney (27), right fielder Zach McKinstry (39), and left fielder Riley Greene (31) celebrate after they won a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Detroit Tigers’ Tomas Nido, left, scores off of a sacrifice fly hit by Zach McKinstry, ahead of a throw to Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini, right, during the third inning of a baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Detroit Tigers catcher Tomas Nido (58) and relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle (43) celebrate after they won a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres throws to first to out Houston Astros’ Jeremy Pena during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Astros’ Victor Caratini (17) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Astros’ Jeremy Pena (3) scores on a double hit by designated hitter Jose Altuve during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Javy Báez’s 9th career grand slam leads Tigers over Astros 7-4
HOUSTON (AP) — Javy Báez capped a five-run third inning with his ninth career grand slam, Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep by beating the Houston Astros 7-4 on Wednesday.
Detroit Tigers’ Javier Baez runs the bases after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
HOUSTON (AP) — Javy Báez capped a five-run third inning with his ninth career grand slam, Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep by beating the Houston Astros 7-4 on Wednesday.
Baez’s two-out homer off AJ Blubaugh (0-1), a 24-year-old right-hander making his major league debut, put the Tigers ahead 7-1. All five runs were unearned due to shortstop Jeremy Peña throwing error on Kerry Carpenter’s grounder.
Riley Greene tied his career high with four hits.
Brenan Hanifee (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Jackson Jobe, who allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in three innings. Detroit has won five of seven and nine of 13.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Blubaugh (0-1) struck out two in a 1-2-3 first and gave up seven runs — two earned — and five hits in four innings with six strikeouts and a walk.
Peña hit the first career leadoff home run, the first of his three hits, but Colt Keith hit a two-run homer in the second to put Detroit ahead for good.
Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the fifth and Victor Caratini homered in the seventh against Tyler Holton.
Holton struck out Yainer Diaz to strand two runners in the seventh and Tommy Kahnle struck out Christian Walker to leave two runners on in the eighth.
Houston went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.
Key moment
Báez drove a high sweeper over the left-field scoreboard.
Key stat
Houston allowed five unearned runs in the third inning after giving up three in its first 29 games.
Up next
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (1-3 4.00 ERA) opens a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Tigers: RHP Casey Mize (4-1 2.12 ERA) opens a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels and LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 4.31) on Thursday night.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation