HOUSTON — Andy Ibáñez delivered a decisive three-run double during Detroit’s four-run eighth inning, leading the Tigers to a 5-2 win over the Houston Astros and completing a sweep in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series on Wednesday.
Parker Meadows also homered, ending Houston’s streak of seven straight AL Championship Series appearances. The victory was particularly meaningful for Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who led the Astros to a World Series title in 2017 before being fired due to the sign-stealing scandal.
Kerry Carpenter ignited the Tigers’ eighth-inning surge with a one-out single off Houston closer Ryan Pressly (0-1), who had successfully converted his first 14 postseason save chances. Carpenter advanced to third on a single by Matt Vierling and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2.
Pressly was replaced after Colt Keith drew a two-out walk, and Josh Hader, who signed a $95 million contract with Houston in January, walked Spencer Torkelson to load the bases. Ibáñez then pinch-hit for Zach McKinstry, ripping a 1-2 sinker down the left-field line to give Detroit a 5-2 lead.
Hader gave up three hits and walked two over 1 1/3 innings.
Next, the wild-card Tigers will face the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians in a best-of-five AL Division Series, with Game 1 set for Saturday.
