Detroit Tigers Bounce Back From Slide, Beat Rangers 7-2

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers stopped their four game skid this evening, beating the Texas Rangers by a score of 7-2, on the back of strong start from Anibal Sanchez(W, 2-2, 2.83ERA). Sanchez blew through the first inning, retiring the Rangers in order. The second inning wasn’t quite as smooth. Sanchez allowed a lead off single to Adrian Beltre followed by a double to Alex Rios, which advanced Beltre to third and both scored when Mitch Moreland doubled. Sanchez recovered and retired the next three batters consecutively, getting out of the inning with only two runs scored. Those would be the Ranger’s only runs off Sanchez(or at all, for that matter) as he cruised through the rest of his innings and gave the Tigers the quality start they needed. Sanchez’s line: 7IP, 5H, 2R/ER, 0BB, 5K.

Al Alburquerque and Ian Krol pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Both gave up a hit and Krol also walked a batter, but both relievers were backed up strongly by their infielders and the innings ended without runs scored.

The Tigers’ offense came alive early, answering the runs scored by the Rangers in the second with two runs in their half of the inning. Victor Martinez took a base on balls and Austin Jackson hit a two-run homer to tie it up. They took the lead in the bottom of the third on back-t0-back lead-off doubles by Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera. Rajai Davis led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and scored when Ian Kinsler knocked his second double of the game. Later in the inning, after an intentional walk to Miguel Cabrera, Torii Hunter grounded into a force out and Kinsler scored. In the bottom of the sixth, Andrew Romine hit his first career home run, a liner to right that banged off the foul pole.  The Tigers completed their scoring in the seventh inning. Kinsler led off with yet another double, his third of the game, and moved to third on a line out by Cabrera. Kinsler scored his third run of the contest on Hunter’s ground out.

The Tigers take on the Rangers again tomorrow at Comerica Park at 4:08pm. Rick Porcello(7-1, 2.91ERA) will take on Nick Martinez(0-1, 2.28ERA).