Tigers  1    Astros  8

Detroit Tigers (41-32) at Houston Astros (34-37), 7:05 p.m.

Sports Network | June 27, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Tigers saw their win streak come to an end last night, but Detroit will try to start a new tear this evening when they take on the Houston Astros in the second game of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.

Yesterday, Miguel Tejada went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and provided the eventual game-winning run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth, as the Astros erased an early four-run deficit to edge the Tigers, 5-4.

Joel Zumaya (3-2), who recorded the final out in the seventh, stayed on the hill to pitch the home half of the eighth. Kazuo Matsui singled, pinch-hitter Darin Erstad walked, and Michael Bourn walked to load the bases with one out. Zumaya forced in the tying run when he walked Jeff Keppinger. Freddy Dolsi took over on the mound and gave up a sacrifice fly to Tejada, putting the Astros ahead by one.

LaTroy Hawkins then worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to pick up his 10th save of the year.

Keppinger, Hunter Pence, and Matt Kata each had a hit and an RBI for the Astros, who have won two straight. Bourn went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks.

Wandy Rodriguez, who was trying for back-to-back wins, gave up four runs on seven hits to take a no-decision for Houston. The lefty also walked four and fanned three. Chris Sampson (4-0) recorded the final out in the eighth to collect the win.

Placido Polanco hit a three-run home run for the Tigers, who saw their seven- game winning streak come to an end. Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-4 and belted a solo homer for Detroit, which has hit a home run in 10 straight games.

Justin Verlander went 5 1/3 innings for the Tigers, allowing three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and four walks to take the no-decision.

Alfredo Figaro will make his second career start this evening when he takes the hill for the Detroit Tigers in the second installment of a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

In his debut the right-hander controlled the hard-hitting Brewers, allowing just two runs in five innings. Figaro surrendered eight hits and two walks, but did strike out seven batters.

As for the Astros they will turn to Felipe Paulino, who is coming off the disabled list after suffering a strained groin. Paulino has pitched in the rotation and out of the bullpen, but the right-hander has struggled in both areas and comes into this game with a 1-4 ledger with a 6.18 earned run average.

Paulino has never faced Detroit in his career.

Detroit and Houston are meeting for the first time since the Tigers swept a three-game home series versus the Astros from June 26-28, 2006. The Tigers, who are 122-105 all-time against the National League, have won five of the past seven matchups between the clubs.

The Astros own a 99-99 mark in interleague play.