Nelson Cruz tagged out trying to score a run in the top of the 2nd inning. Texas had the bases loaded and only 1 out in the inning but could not capitalize.Texas rallied back from down 3-1 in the top of the 8th to tie it at 3-3 but Millwood couldn't hold the tie in the bottom of the 8th and the Rangers lost their 3rd straight game.
The Detroit Tigers, on the other hand, have now won 6 straight games and were led by their starter Edwin Jackson. Jackson came into the game 2nd in the American League in ERA at 2.42 and did not disappoint as he only allowed 3 earned runs, had 7 strikeouts, and scattered 7 hits in 8 innings of work. He improved to 4-2 on the season with the win. Fernando Rodney pitched for the 3rd consecutive game and got his 2nd straight save for his 8th of the season.
Kevin Millwood, 8th in the AL in ERA, had a normally adequate outing with 8 innings pitched and 4 earned runs on 6 hits; but the Rangers couldn't put enough runs on the board to win the game. Millwood got the loss and is now 4-4 for the season. Home runs led to his downfall as he allowed 2 for the game which led to 3 runs for the Tigers. Both pitchers combined to throw 253 pitches for the game.
Texas started it off in the top of the 1st, after an Ian Kinsler pop out, David Murphy took the second pitch that he saw deep over the right field wall to make it 1-0 Rangers. It was his 2nd home run of the season. The runs would stop there, though, as Michael Young and Hank Blalock had consecutive ground outs to the shortstop to end the inning.
Unfortunately for the Rangers, Detroit came right back in the bottom of the 1st to tie it. After a fly out to center field by Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson and 2nd baseman Placido Polanco grounded out; Clete Thomas hit a monster home run over center that tied the game at 1-1. It was Thomas' 1st home run of the year. Millwood got Detroit DH-first baseman Miguel Cabrera to ground out to him to end the inning.
Texas had the bases loaded with only 1 out in the top of the second but couldn't take advantage. It all began after Marlon Byrd grounded out to start the inning. Nelson Cruz singled to center field and then Chris Davis followed with a walk on 4 pitches. This was a wild inning for Edwin Jackson as he walked Jarrod Saltalamacchia next on 4 pitches also. Elvis Andrus followed with a fly ball out to right field. Nelson Cruz tried to tag up and score on the play from 3rd but was called out on a close play at the plate. 2 quick outs and Jackson survived the inning.
Detroit shortstop Adam Everett led off the bottom of the 3rd with a walk on 5 pitches. The Tigers back-up catcher Dane Sardinha struck out looking and then Millwood made a pitch to Curtis Granderson that he would regret. After getting down in the count 2-0, Millwood hung a breaking ball that Granderson took deep over the right field wall for his 11th home run of the year and Detroit had gained the lead 3-1.
Texas came back in the top of the 8th starting with a David Murphy walk. Murphy was 3 for 3 on the day with 2 walks, 2 runs scored, a homer, and an RBI. Michael Young followed with a pop-out but then Hank Blalock scorched a double to right field that gave the Rangers runners on 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out in the inning. Marlon Byrd came up to bat next and couldn't capitalize as he lined out to the shortstop. Nelson Cruz stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball into the gap in center field for a bases clearing double that made it 3-3 all. Nelson Cruz then stole third and he was 2-4 on the day with 2 RBI's and 2 steals. Chris Davis followed with a walk that gave Texas runners on the corners with 2 outs. Unfortunately for the Rangers, Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out swinging to end the inning.
The bottom of the 8th started out well for Millwood after he got Dane Sardinha to strike out and Curtis Granderson to ground out to begin the inning. Placido Polanco was next in the order and knocked a single to center field. Millwood then walked Clete Thomas to put 2 on with 2 outs for the inning. Miguel Cabrera took advantage with a single to center field that scored Polanco from 2nd and gave Detroit a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish. Millwood got the next batter, 1st baseman Kevin Larish, to ground out to end the inning.
Texas threatened again in the top of the 9th after Elvis Andrus walked and David Murphy singled but Ian Kinsler struck out and Michael Young grounded out into a double play to end the game.
Rangers Lose 4-3.
News and Notes:
- Texas had 5 steals as a team for the game (2 by Nelson Cruz). Texas in 6th as a team in Major League Baseball with 29 steals on the season. Ian Kinsler leads the team with 10 and is 8th in the American League.
- Texas has now lost 3 games in a row after winning 7 straight.
- The Rangers have lost 11 games in a row in Detroit dating back to September of 2007.
- This was the first series Texas has lost in the month of May.
- Texas is now 23-17 for the season and still in 1st in the AL West; leading the Angels by 2.5 games.
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