Javy Báez’s 9th career grand slam leads Tigers over Astros 7-4

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:36 PM CDT Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

HOUSTON (AP) — Javy Báez capped a five-run third inning with his ninth career grand slam, Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep by beating the Houston Astros 7-4 on Wednesday.

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HOUSTON (AP) — Javy Báez capped a five-run third inning with his ninth career grand slam, Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep by beating the Houston Astros 7-4 on Wednesday.

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HOUSTON (AP) — Javy Báez capped a five-run third inning with his ninth career grand slam, Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep by beating the Houston Astros 7-4 on Wednesday.

Baez’s two-out homer off AJ Blubaugh (0-1), a 24-year-old right-hander making his major league debut, put the Tigers ahead 7-1. All five runs were unearned due to shortstop Jeremy Peña throwing error on Kerry Carpenter’s grounder.

Riley Greene tied his career high with four hits.

Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez runs the bases after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Brenan Hanifee (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Jackson Jobe, who allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in three innings. Detroit has won five of seven and nine of 13.

Blubaugh (0-1) struck out two in a 1-2-3 first and gave up seven runs — two earned — and five hits in four innings with six strikeouts and a walk.

Peña hit the first career leadoff home run, the first of his three hits, but Colt Keith hit a two-run homer in the second to put Detroit ahead for good.

Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the fifth and Victor Caratini homered in the seventh against Tyler Holton.

Holton struck out Yainer Diaz to strand two runners in the seventh and Tommy Kahnle struck out Christian Walker to leave two runners on in the eighth.

Houston went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.

Key moment

Báez drove a high sweeper over the left-field scoreboard.

Key stat

Houston allowed five unearned runs in the third inning after giving up three in its first 29 games.