Inge's homer in 9th lifts Tigers over Astros

[June 29, 2009]  HOUSTON (AP) -- Brandon Inge hit a two-run homer off Jose Valverde with two outs in the ninth inning and the Tigers averted a sweep with a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Kaz Matsui's RBI double off Edwin Jackson in the seventh gave Houston a 3-2 lead.

Tim Byrdak retired two batters in relief of Russ Ortiz in the eighth and Valverde (0-2) started the ninth, looking for his seventh save. Placido Polanco and Miguel Cabrera each flied out before Valverde walked Marcus Thames.

Inge then drove a 1-0 pitch over the left-field wall for his 18th home run.

Bobby Seay (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth in relief of Jackson, and Fernando Rodney shut out Houston in the ninth to stay perfect in 17 save opportunities.

Curtis Granderson added a solo homer for the Tigers.

Inge's homer salvaged another good start by Jackson, who came in with the AL's second-best ERA (2.40), behind Kansas City's Zack Greinke.

Jackson allowed only one hit through the first four innings, but the Tigers grounded into two early double plays. Detroit had averaged only three runs in Jackson's previous seven starts.

Michael Bourn led off the Astros fourth with a triple to right center. Jackson hit Jeff Keppinger with a pitch before Bourn scored on Lance Berkman's sacrifice fly to put Houston ahead 1-0.

Carlos Lee singled and one out later, Hunter Pence doubled down the left-field line. Keppinger and Lee scored, but a fan reached out of the stands and touched the ball. Lee's run was nullified and umpires ordered him to return to third base. Jackson struck out Ivan Rodriguez to end the inning and keep the score 2-0.

Inge beat out an infield single in the fifth and scored on Gerald Laird's double to left center. Laird was back in the lineup after leaving in the first inning of Saturday night's game with back spasms.

Granderson tied it in the sixth, driving a 1-1 pitch from Ortiz into the right-field seats for his 18th homer of the season. The Tigers have homered in 12 consecutive games, matching their longest streak since Sept. 4-17, 1999.

Geoff Blum, activated from the disabled list before the game, was hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the seventh. Two outs later, Matsui doubled to right center and Blum scored to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.

Ortiz retired Adam Everett leading off the eighth before he was replaced by Byrdak. The left hander struck out the two batters he faced, not allowing a run for the 15th time in his last 18 appearances.

NOTES: Ortiz made his 300th career appearance. ... The Astros finished 6-9 in interleague play this season. ... The Tigers are 52-20 against the NL since 2006. ... Detroit placed left-hander Nate Robertson on the 15-day disabled list with a mass in his left elbow. To take his place on the roster, the Tigers purchased the contract of left-hander Fu-Te Ni from Triple-A Toledo. He was 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 24 appearances.

[Associated Press; By CHRIS DUNCAN]

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