Iglesias’ ninth-inning infield single gives Tigers 3-2 win

Maybin’s insane concoction of a run in the sixth inning – scoring on a Miguel Cabrera pop-up – was a precursor of things to come a few innings later, and appeared all ace right-hander Justin Verlander would need until the ninth inning, when the Astros spoiled Verlander’s eighth career shutout bid.

Detroit Tigers’ Cameron Maybin, left, dives safely into home ahead of the tag by Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro to score a run in the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Detroit.

Will the Tigers pull off the upset when they host the Astros this afternoon at 1:10PM ET? “When August and September roll around, you have to be ready to make a run at the playoffs”.

James McCann tied the score at 2-2 with a line single to left on a 1-2 pitch by Houston closer Will Harris, who got the first two outs of the ninth but then walked Justin Upton and gave up a single to center to Collins. Collins singled and McCann drove him in with another single.

Jose Iglesias then rolled one wide of the bag at first base and beat the throw to the pitcher. Rather than just giving up, Iglesias flew out of the box as soon as contact was made and ended up just beating Castro’s throw to Astros pitcher Will Harris who was covering first base on the play. Instead, Harris had to break his stride to catch the ball.

“They just never let me up for air”, McHugh said. “But they found places to put other ones”, said the manager, who didn’t get a reliever up until just before Carlos Correa reached out and poked a curveball into the outfield for a bloop single to tie it.

-Mike Pelfrey gave up one run in six innings against Houston on April 15, a 1-0 Tigers loss.

Houston rookie Alex Bregman got his first career hit in the third inning, ending an 0-for-18 start.

“That was tough, because I thought we were going to lose, and I was going to be shouldering the blame”, Verlander said. “If I made a good pitch, they got a bat on it, and if I missed my spot at all, they hit it hard”.

The teams continue their three-game series Saturday evening, with Justin Verlander (10-6, 3.64) facing Mike Fiers (7-4, 4.69). Smyly had not won in his last 11 starts and yet came up with his second win against the Yankees this season, limiting NY to two runs and four hits in six innings.

Justin Verlander pitched nine brilliant innings Saturday night and with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, it looked like it would be for naught.

The Tigers threatened in the second, putting runners on first and second with no one out, but Altuve fielded Upton’s grounder, stepped on second and threw to third in time to retire Victor Martinez.

Cameron Maybin had a two-run double to right in the second, Cabrera drove him home with a single to center and Castellanos had an RBI single to third.

In the meantime, Verlander allowed two hits in the first inning but didn’t allow another baserunner until he walked Altuve to start the seventh.

The Astros are 4-0 in their last four game threes of a series, and 6-1 in Keuchel’s last seven starts versus the American League Central.

Miguel Cabrera followed with a pop up, a mile high, into short right field.