The Detroit Tigers’ Travis Demeritte, left, is tagged out by Astros second baseman Jack Mayfield while trying to stretch a single into a double during the first inning Monday in Houston. (AP photo)

They were able to escape with a win despite all the traffic on the bases by making big pitches when it mattered most.

Yuli Gurriel had two hits and drove in two runs as the Astros built a lead with a big first inning and held on for the 5-4 victory.

The Astros jumped on Detroit starter Edwin Jackson (3-6) for four runs in the first inning to go on top 4-1. They led by 3 when Detroit’s Ronny Rodriguez hit a solo homer in the sixth before Travis Demeritte added one in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-4.

Detroit had runners at first and third with two outs in the eighth, but Will Harris struck out Demeritte to preserve the lead. Roberto Osuna allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his 28th save.

Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, right, argues with home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez after being ejected during the fifth inning Monday in Houston. (AP photo)

Houston starter Wade Miley (12-4) allowed a season-high 10 hits, but just one of them was for extra bases. He struck out eight without a walk.

The Tigers were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

Detroit designated hitter Miguel Cabrera had two hits and drove in a run before he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the fifth inning. Manager Ron Gardenhire was also ejected in that inning after yelling at home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez about Cabrera’s ejection.

Jackson yielded seven hits and five runs — four earned — in six innings for his first loss with the Tigers this season after winning his first two starts.

The Tigers led 1-0 after an RBI single by Cabrera in the first inning.