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Keuchel's 14th Win Helps Astros To 5-1 Win Over Tigers

KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) — Dallas Keuchel struck out eight in seven solid innings and Jed Lowrie powered the offense with a two-RBI double to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

The Astros trailed entering the fifth inning before scoring three runs, capped by the double by Lowrie to take a 3-1 lead.

It was the opener of a 10-game homestand for Houston, which remains in first place in the American League-West despite going 2-7 on a recent road trip.

Keuchel (14-6) yielded six hits and one run to improve to 11-0 at home this season. His 14 wins overall are tied for most in the AL.

Alfredo Simon (10-7) allowed six hits and four runs in five-plus innings for the loss.

Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera returned from a six-week stint on the disabled list with a calf strain and went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk. Cabrera, who was on the DL for the first time in his 13-year career, did not play any rehabilitation games to prepare for his return.

The Astros added a run on a sacrifice bunt by Marwin Gonzalez in the sixth and Chris Carter doubled in another one in the eighth.

Keuchel bounced back after tying a season-high with 10 hits in a loss to Oakland last week. He had retired nine of the first 10 batters before Ian Kinsler singled to start the fourth inning. Keuchel then walked Cabrera on four pitches and the Tigers took a 1-0 lead on the groundball RBI single by Victor Martinez.

The Tigers threatened in the fifth inning when a broken-bat double by Jose Iglesias followed by a single from Anthony Gose left runners at first and third with one out in the inning. But Keuchel escaped the jam by striking out Rajai Davis before Kinsler grounded out.

The Astros tied it at 1-all on a groundout by Jose Altuve in the fifth inning. Rookie Carlos Correa walked with two outs and stole second base before Lowrie's double that scored two.

Houston's Carlos Gomez had a difficult night, going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. His frustration boiled over in the eighth inning after his second strikeout when he slammed his bat across his thigh three times before cracking it in half.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: LHP Kyle Lobstein (sore left shoulder) will continue his rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Toledo. He made two starts at Single-A Lakeland where he was 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA. He has been out since May 24.

Astros: OF George Springer (broken right wrist) was cleared to resume baseball activities on Friday, but the Astros still aren't sure when he'll come off the disabled list. Springer, who's hasn't played since July 1, said it's been difficult to sit out for so long and that's he's anxious to take the next step in his recovery. He'll be able to throw and catch, but manager A.J. Hinch said he's not quite ready to swing a bat yet.

TRIPLES, TRIPLES AND MORE TRIPLES

Evan Gattis tripled with no outs in the sixth inning to chase Simon. The burly 230-pound Gattis is second in the majors with nine triples this season after he hit just one in his first two seasons combined.

UP NEXT

Detroit's Justin Verlander (1-5, 4.57) looks to end a two-game skid when he opposes Collin McHugh (13-6, 4.22) when the series continues on Saturday. McHugh is tied for second in the AL with 13 wins, but is coming off of a loss at Oakland

 

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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