Miguel Cabrera walked with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, saving the Tigers from a 1-2-3 inning, but was stranded when Victor Martinez flew out to the warning track in right field to end the inning.
Time is running out for the Tigers, who are down 5-2 going to the bottom of the eighth.
Astros get 2 more in 7th
The Tigers gave up two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
After Jordan Zimmermann gave up a leadoff single to Juan Centeno, he was lifted for right-hander Alex Wilson.