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Imai Strikes Out 10 as Astros Edge Tigers 2-1

Tatsuya Imai pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, while Trammell's homer and a late sacrifice fly lifted Houston past Detroit.

Theo Vance

June 26, 20262 min read

MLBFinal
Houston Astros2
Detroit Tigers1

June 25, 2026

Dominant Pitching Performance

Tatsuya Imai delivered a masterclass in strikeout pitching for the Houston Astros, fanning 10 batters over six scoreless innings. His performance anchored a complete-game effort that kept the Detroit Tigers off the board until the final frames. Imai allowed just two hits and one walk, securing his fifth win of the season and improving his record to 5-3. He was supported by relief arms AJ Blubaugh and Enyel De Los Santos, who combined to pitch three hitless innings of relief. Blubaugh recorded three strikeouts in two innings, while De Los Santos closed out the game with the save, his fifth of the year.

Scoring Plays Define Late Action

The game remained deadlocked at zero until the sixth inning, when Detroit broke the silence. Trammell launched a 422-foot home run to right field, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. The Tigers held onto that advantage for three innings, relying on a bullpen trio of Troy Melton, Kyle Finnegan, and Tyler Holton to maintain the one-run margin. Melton, who took the loss with a 4-1 record, also struck out six batters in his six innings. Finnegan and Holton each pitched an inning without allowing a run, though Holton surrendered a hit.

Deciding Runs in the Ninth

The outcome shifted dramatically in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the score still 1-0, Houston’s Paredes hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Peña to score from first base and tie the game at 1-1. The tension peaked immediately after, as Dingler connected on a 432-foot home run to center field, putting the Astros ahead 2-1. Kenley Jansen entered for Detroit in the ninth but allowed two hits and the eventual winning run, unable to prevent the comeback. The final score of 2-1 reflected the narrow margin between victory and defeat in a game defined by sharp pitching and timely hitting.

Final Records and Attendance

The victory improved Houston’s record to 40-43, while Detroit fell to 34-47. The contest drew an attendance of 25,066 fans to Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros extended their momentum with this win, continuing a three-game winning streak, while the Tigers suffered their latest setback in a challenging season. The game highlighted the importance of bullpen management and late-inning execution, with Houston’s relief pitchers holding the line after Imai’s strong start.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401815898

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Theo Vance

Theo Vance writes about Frisco sports, from high school programs to the city's pro and collegiate teams.

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