HOUSTON -- The final line did not tell the full story for Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel on Friday night, but even when he wobbles a bit Keuchel has mastered the ability to excel before his ledger is complete.

Keuchel moved one victory shy of matching the franchise record for consecutive home wins as the Astros rebounded from a difficult road trip to defeat the Detroit Tigers 5-1 at Minute Maid Park.

Keuchel (14-6) allowed one run on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in seven innings to win his 12th consecutive decision at home dating to last season. Right-hander Danny Darwin won 13 consecutive decisions between the 1989 and 1990 seasons at the Astrodome.

"They were hunting the fastball," Keuchel said of the Tigers. "The second or third time through I was kind of throwing some off-speed for strikes. I've been working on a breaking pitch backdoor. That was kind of getting me ahead of guys. Especially with that lineup, I can't afford to get behind a bunch of guys.

"That's what I've been doing the last couple outings with some walks and some hard-luck hits. I just wanted to attack the zone today and I was able to do that."

The Astros (63-53), who dropped seven games on their nine-game road swing through Texas, Oakland and San Francisco, improved to 31-9 over their last 40 games at Minute Maid Park, doing so behind one timely two-out hit from third baseman Jed Lowrie (1-for-4, two RBIs).

The Tigers (55-60) welcomed back first baseman Miguel Cabrera but dropped their third consecutive game to Houston in the season series. Cabrera finished 0-for-3 with a walk in his first game action since July 3.

After the Astros squandered scoring opportunities in the first and third innings, they delivered against Tigers right-hander Alfredo Simon (10-7) in the fifth. But even that rally required some two-out magic.

Lowrie took a 3-0 pitch for a strike before drilling the next offering into the left-center-field gap, scoring catcher Jason Castro and shortstop Carlos Correa to snap a 1-1 tie and push the Astros into their first lead.

Lowrie came up empty with two runners on in the first and third innings, his fly out to left in the first coming when he swung at a 3-0 pitch.

"I got the green light 3-0 my second at-bat as well and he threw a splitter actually and it ended up being a strike," Lowrie said. "I got a fastball first at-bat, I was looking for something up to drive. It was a little too far up, but I guess that's the risk you take. I was able to get him there in the third at-bat."

Houston added to its lead an inning later, chasing Simon with a triple by left fielder Evan Gattis before first baseman Marwin Gonzalez followed with a squeeze bunt that scored pinch-runner Jake Marisnick.

Keuchel buckled down after surrendering an RBI single to Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez, the third consecutive batter to reach to open the fourth inning. He capped that frame with a double play and later worked his way in and out of trouble in the fifth, striking out Tigers left fielder Rajai Davis with runners on the corners before inducing a grounder back to the mound from second baseman Ian Kinsler to stifle the threat.

"Keuchel is one of the best pitchers in the American League," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We knew it was going to be tough to score runs, and it was. He's got a lot of movement, a lot of deception. He's tough for hitters to square the ball on."

Said Tigers catcher James McCann: "We were one hit away in two or three different spots from putting up a crooked number. He had his pitch count up around 70 in the fourth or fifth inning, but he settled down, and went into the seventh inning."

NOTES: The Tigers activated 1B Miguel Cabrera from the 15-day disabled list, concluding his 35-game absence because of a left calf strain. Detroit, which was 15-20 without Cabrera, optioned LHP Kyle Ryan to Triple-A Toledo, where Ryan will work out of the rotation. ... Astros OF George Springer has been cleared for all baseball activities except hitting. He was placed on the 15-day DL July 2 and missed his 35th game with a right wrist fracture. A timetable for his return has not yet been established. ... Astros OF Colby Rasmus was a late scratch after arriving at Minute Maid Park with a sore left knee. He completed Houston's recent nine-game road trip batting .259/.375/.556 with two home runs and six RBIs.