HOUSTON, June 27 (UPI) -- Felipe Paulino gave up a run and just three hits in seven innings Saturday when the Houston Astros recorded an 8-1 inter-league rout of the Detroit Tigers.
One of two hits for Houston's Kaz Matsui was a two-run third-inning homer. Lance Berkman had two hits and two RBI, Michael Bourn had three hits and one RBI, Carlos Lee had two hits and one RBI, while Hunter Pence drove in a run for the Astros, who can complete a three-game sweep with a win Sunday.
Paulino (2-4), just activated from the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain, did not walk a batter in 96 pitches and fanned nine.
Detroit's run scored on Ramon Santiago's third-inning homer. Miguel Cabrera and Marcus Thames had one hit each for the Tigers, who have lost two in a row following their season-high seven-game winning streak.
Losing pitcher Alfredo Figaro (1-1) was shelled for eight runs -- seven earned -- and 10 hits in six innings.
