Ibanez's 3-run double propels Tigers to sweep of Astros in AL Wild Card Series

Andy Ibanez hit a tiebreaking three-run double in Detroit's four-run eighth inning, and the Tigers swept the Houston Astros with a 5-2 victory in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series on Wednesday.

Parker Meadows homered as Detroit ended Houston's run of seven consecutive appearances in the AL Championship Series. It was a sweet moment for Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who led Houston to a championship in 2017 and was fired in the aftermath of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal.

Next up for the wild-card Tigers is a trip to Cleveland to take on the AL Central champions in a best-of-five AL Division Series. Game 1 is on Saturday.

Kerry Carpenter sparked Detroit's eighth-inning rally with a one-out single off Ryan Pressly (0-1), who converted his first 14 postseason save opportunities. Carpenter advanced to third on a single by Matt Vierling and scored on a wild pitch, tying it at 2.

Pressly departed after Colt Keith reached on a two-out walk, and closer Josh Hader walked Spencer Torkelson to load the bases.

Hinch then sent Ibanez up to hit for Zach McKinstry, and Ibanez lined a 1-2 sinker into the corner in left for a 5-2 lead.

ANDY IBÁÑEZ CLEARS THE BASES!<br><br>THE GRITTY TIGS!!! <a href="https://t.co/D0eYmY8Mjj">pic.twitter.com/D0eYmY8Mjj</a>

Vierling, Keith and Torkelson jumped around and high-fived in celebration after scoring on Ibanez's clutch swing. Ibanez raised his arms high above his head and smiled as he reached second.

Hader, who signed a $95 million US, five-year contract with Houston in January, allowed three hits and walked two in 1 1/3 innings.

In the postseason for the first time since 2014, Detroit also got a solo home run from Meadows in the sixth to help the franchise to its first playoff series win since