Before the Tigers gave themselves some breathing room with a three-run eighth inning in Friday's 6-2 win, they sought a clean outing from Joba Chamberlain against the top of the Astros' order.
A stress-free inning hasn't quite been the norm from the right-handed reliever, who entered having allowed hits in five of his last eight appearances. But on Friday, he had no issues dispatching Houston, and, in the process, perhaps solidifying his role as Detroit's setup man.
"Joba's the eighth-inning guy," manager Brad Ausmus said afterward, explaining his rationale for inserting Chamberlain instead of right-hander Angel Nesbitt or lefty Tom Gorzelanny.