The Detroit Tigers shocked the Houston Astros with a 5-2 win at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday to advance to the American League Division Series.
Andy Ibáñez’s pinch-hit, bases-clearing double off Astros closer Josh Hader in the eighth inning proved to be the difference-maker.
Seven Tigers relievers combined to allow two runs and five hits against the Astros in Game 2. Houston only scored three runs against Detroit during the two-game sweep.
Hunter Brown pitched well for the Astros in a losing effort, allowing two hits and one earned run across 5 2/3 innings. One of those hits was a solo home run to Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows, whose blast hit the foul pole in right field to kick off the scoring in the sixth inning.
The Astros stormed back with two runs in the seventh before the Tigers plated four in the eighth off Ryan Pressly and Hader.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch applauded his team for a “gritty” series win over his former club.
“One thing I know is they’re pretty gritty and they’re going to get things done,” Hinch said during a postgame interview.
Hinch joined the Tigers as manager in October 2020 following a one-year suspension for his involvement in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, which also cost him his job.
“I’m forever grateful being a Detroit Tiger,” Hinch said, according to Bally Sports Detroit.
Detroit ended Houston’s seven-year streak of reaching the ALCS and moves on to face the Cleveland Guardians. It’s the Tigers’ first trip to the ALDS since 2014 and just their fourth playoff sweep in franchise history.
Game 1 of the Cleveland-Detroit series begins at 1:08 ET on Saturday at Progressive Field.
