By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Tigers 5, Astros 3- The Tigers scored five unanswered runs to overcome an early deficit to defeat the Houston Astros on Saturday night.
The Astros jumped out to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first inning before Detroit responded with a run in the second, a run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth.
The Tigers added an insurance run in the ninth inning.
Nick Castellanos paced Detroit with a double, home run and two RBIs while Victor Martinez added two doubles and an RBI.
Detroit starting pitcher Justin Verlander picked up his first win of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings with striking out eight batters.
The Astros were led by George Springer and Tyler White with a home run each.
The Tigers will look to win the three-game set with a victory over Houston on Sunday afternoon.
Record: 7-3
3rd Place in AL Central Division (1/2 game behind Chicago)
1 game ahead of Boston for last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 152
Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 153
Next Game: 04/17/2016 @ Houston Astros 2:10 p.m. @ Minute Maid Park
Hitting stats: Jarod Saltalamacchia 2B (2) HR (3) 2 RBI (10), Nick Castellanos 2B (3) RBI (8), Victor Martinez 2 2B (3) RBI (7), Miguel Cabrera 2B (2), Jose Iglesias 2B (1) SB (1).
Pitching stats: Justin Verlander W (1-1) 6 IP 7 H 3 R 3 ER 2 BB 8 K, Francisco Rodriguez SV (3) 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K.
