Bruce Rondon loses lead in blink of an eye as Tigers fall to Astros

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Gallery: Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros - July 28, 2017

DETROIT -- A bad week for Bruce Rondon didn't get any better on Friday night.

Charged with protecting a two-run lead in the eighth inning, Rondon quickly surrendered three runs to the Houston Astros, who beat the Detroit Tigers 6-5 to win the series opener at Comerica Park.

Rondon gave up two singles and then a three-run home run to Astors center fielder Josh Reddick -- all in the span of about two minutes and eight pitches.

Rondon was ejected on Wednesday night after hitting a batter in the ninth inning of a lopsided game. 

But in a vote of confidence of sorts, manager Brad Ausmus gave Rondon another opportunity on Friday, even though starter Jordan Zimmermann had thrown only 80 pitches through seven innings.

In his last three outings, Rondon has allowed eight runs on eight hits in 1 1/3 innings. 


NOTABLE

* Keuchel allowed three earned runs in three innings in his first start since June 2. He allowed three earned runs in his last four starts (23 innings) before going on the disabled list. Keuchel labored in all three innings and threw only 79 pitches before Astros manager A.J. Hinch went to the bullpen.

* The Tigers left the bases loaded in the first inning, but scored some two-out runs in the second. After Dixon Machado drew a walk and Ian Kinsler doubled, Nicholas Castellanos hit his 15th home run of the year to left field.

* Miguel Cabrera hit the first pitch  he saw from Astros reliever Brad Peacock in the fifth inning into the visitor's bullpen for his 13th homer of the year.

* Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tripled in the first and doubled in the third, extending his hitting streak to 19 games. He's hitting .506 (43-for-85) in July and has bolstered his case to be American League MVP.

* Justin doubled in the first inning, his 29th double of the year and eighth since the All-Star break. 

He had only 28 last year in 225 more plate appearances.

As of Friday night, Upton was tied with the Indians' Francisco Lindor for fourth in the AL in doubles, behind Altuve, Jose Ramirez and Mookie Betts.

* Tigers center fielder Mikie Mahtook accomplished something you don't see very often: He scored from first base on a single in the eighth inning.

Granted, it was a Victor Martinez single, which was influenced both by his (lack of) speed and the unorthodox defensive alignments that teams employ against him. But Mahtook's hustle combined with some confusion on the Astros' defense allowed Mahtook to scamper home without a throw.

UP NEXT

The Tigers and Astros meet again on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. Matthew Boyd (4-5, 5.48 ERA) will start for the Tigers against Collin McHugh (0-0, 7.71).  

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