HOUSTON (AP) — Wilson Ramos hit two home runs and Renato Núñez and rookie Akil Baddoo each homered for the second straight game as the Detroit Tigers slugged their way to an 8-2 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
Ramos has stepped into the cleanup spot with Miguel Cabrera sidelined by a biceps injury, and his six homers lead the majors.
“Miggy is one of the leaders of this team and we need him back,” Ramos said. “But since he’s not here right now I have to take that spot he left. I’m very happy for what I’m doing right now. I don’t want to be Miggy’s bat, but I want to give support to my team.”
Baddoo, a Rule 5 pick, is off to a scorching start to his major league career with four homers in eight games. Nomar Mazara also homered to give the Tigers a season-high five long balls as they won their second straight following a four-game skid.
“We’ve made them come inside the strike zone,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “I think we’ve been selective and punished some mistakes when they’ve made mistakes.”
The Tigers spoiled the Astros debut of Jake Odorizzi (0-1), who got a late start to the season after signing on March 8. Detroit tagged him for seven hits and five runs, including three homers, in 3 1/3 innings to hand the Astros their fourth consecutive loss after a 6-1 start.
“This one’s on me,” Odorizzi said. “Anytime you give up multiple runs in a mid-game inning it’s usually a tough one to come back from. Maybe treat it as a learning tool and try to move from it differently and how to attack it. Having a short area in left field is a different aspect and I got my firsthand experience tonight.”
In his first visit to his former team, Hinch won the opening two games, securing the Tigers’ first series win against the…
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