Astros pull away late to secure Win against Tigers

Juan Centeno #30 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park on May 23, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

(May 23, 2017 - Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America

The Houston Astros (31-15) score three late runs to secure a 6-2 win against the Detroit Tigers (21-23) in game two of their four-game series.

1B Yuli Gurriel put the Astros up 1-0 with a leadoff home run in the second inning. It was his fourth long ball of the season.

The Astros doubled their lead in the third. LF Josh Reddick drew a walk with one out and went on to steal second base. 2B Jose Altuve followed and reached on a fielding error by 3B Nicholas Castellanos, enabling Josh Reddick to come home for a score of 2-0.

C Juan Centeno scored another run for the Astros with a two-out homer in the fourth. The 27-year old, who was called up from Triple-A Fresno on Sunday, made his season debut for Houston.

The Tigers finally got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning. DH Victor Martinez led off with a walk and CF Mikie Mahtook hit a two-out homer to cut the deficit to one run. It was Mahtook’s second long ball of the year.

Detroit’s SP Jordan Zimmerman pitched into the seventh inning but was relieved after giving up a leadoff single to Juan Centeno. The substitution, however, did not have the desired effect.

CF Jake Marisnick singled off RP Alex Wilson and RF George Springer reached on a throwing error by Alex Wilson, enabling Juan Centeno to cross home plate and Jake Marisnick to advance to third base. Josh Reddick followed with a sacrifice flyball and Jake Marisnick put the Astros up 5-2.

It wasn’t Houston’s final run of the game. SS Marwin Gonzalez led off the eighth with a double and advanced to third base on a flyout by Yuli Gurriel. After another out Juan Centeno was intentionally walked but Jake Marisnick managed to single next and drive in Marwin Gonzalez for the final score of 6-2.

Jordan Zimmerman finished the game with 5 hits, 2 walks, 2 earned runs and 3 strikeouts. He now has a 5.86 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP on the year.

Houston’s SP Lance McCullers Jr. went 5 innings, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks while fanning 5. His ERA and WHIP improved to 2.43 and 1.04, respectively.

Juan Centeno went 2-for-3 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 1 RBI.