THE Texas Rangers turned things in the right direction on Tuesday, breaking a tie with five runs in the eighth inning to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-3
Now they’ll look to build on that momentum in the third of a four-game series Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
THE tigers, meanwhile, are trying to find ways to stay in games despite a depleted bullpen and injuries. The latest blow came on Tuesday when news surfaced that left-handed starter Matthew Boyd would undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow.
However, as Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver said, momentum is only as good as the starter the next day. And the tigers are the only team that handed over Rangers Planned starter Dane Dunning (6-1, 2.76 ERA) one loss this season
Detroit canceled the visit Rangers on May 31 as Dunning allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts over five innings. In five career starts against Detroit, Dunning is 0-3 with a 5.70 ERA
Overall this season, Dunning has pitched well since entering the rotation after Texas lost Jacob deGrom to injury. Dunning is 4-1 with a 3.16 ERA in nine starts. In his last start, on the road against the New York Yankees on Friday, Dunning earned a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts in more than seven innings.
In attack, the Rangers seemed to find their rhythm on Tuesday with the late rally. Ezequiel Duran received praise for winning a 12-pitch at-bat against tigers rookie Brendan White and the green light belt
“That was an impressive shot, wasn’t it?” Rangers said manager Bruce Bochy. “He got one he could handle. He smoked it.
Bochy went on to say that the Rangers had several good at-bats on the night, including RBI hits by Josh Jung and Leody Taveras in the sixth. Adolis Garcia also delivered a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth
“That’s what we were missing,” Bochy said.
Detroit will try to bounce back behind southpaw Joey Wentz (1-8, 6.72 ERA). Wentz has been throwing better lately than his record suggests, as the tigers scored a combined run in his last two starts. In a June 17 outing at Minnesota, for example, Wentz took the loss despite just two runs on two hits and nine outs over six innings.
Wentz will make his second career appearance against the Rangers. When he faced Dunning on May 31, Wentz emerged with no decision after allowing one run on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
THE tigers would welcome a longer outing than Wentz’s on Wednesday. As manager AJ Hinch said after Tuesday’s game, “The bullpen is taxed.
Detroit’s offense had some bright spots on Tuesday. Spencer Torkelson hit a solo home run tying the game in the eighth, and Miguel Cabrera had an RBI single to open the scoring.
Hinch enjoyed seeing Torkelson pass after a recent skid, although he said the first baseman had a day off scheduled for Wednesday. As for Cabrera seeing more playing time, Hinch was evasive.
“I will post the lineup every day,” Hinch said. “Miggy contributes, that’s what we ask of her.”
–Field-Level Media
