Nelson Cruz tied the game in the seventh with a homer, and walked the game off in the eleventh with a grand slam to lead the Rangers to a 7-3 win over the Tigers, giving Texas a 2-0 series lead.
Detroit led 3-2 for a majority of the game, getting their three runs on a homer by Ryan Raburn in the third inning. That homer chased Texas’ starter Derek Holland from the game after just 2 2/3 innings, in which he threw 76 pitches (45 for strikes), walking four without a strikeout. The Rangers bullpen didn’t allow a run over the remainder of the game, throwing 8 1/3 scoreless while allowing just four hits and two walks, and striking out eight.
Max Scherzer of the Tigers had a rough start to the game, but cruised along until the seventh. He allowed two runs in the first inning, with both runs being driven in on doubles by Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre. After a double by Cruz to start the second inning, Scherzer would set down 12 in a row. After a sixth inning where he put the first two runners on base before getting out of the jam, Scherzer allowed a leadoff homer to Cruz in the seventh to tie the game and end his day.
Detroit’s bullpen nearly matched Texas’ efforts, going four scoreless innings on just one hit and two walks. The Rangers loaded the bases in the ninth against Tigers closer Jose Valverde, but the man they call Papa Grande got out of it. Ryan Perry relieved Valverde in the eleventh, and he allowed three straight singles before Cruz’s grand slam to end the game. He didn’t get an out.
Due to the rainout that was caused by no rain yesterady, there isn’t a day off between games two and three in this series, and game three will be tomorrow in Detroit. Colby Lewis goes for the Rangers, and Doug Fister will start for the Tigers. Gametime is 8:05.
