Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 49
After securing a comfortable 8-2 win in the series opener, the Detroit Tigers were looking to continue the good work in Game 2 on June 26 to wrap up a rare series victory at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.
However, the Rangers showed just why they are considered as one of the strongest teams in the American League as they bounced back superbly to force the series into the decider.
Rangers’ offence, in particular, played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash. Ian Kinsler continued his marvellous hitting streak as he homered to left in the first inning to put Rangers on the board.
Michael Young and Nelson Cruz made valuable contributions in the fourth inning to help their side come back from behind to level score 3-3. Elvis Andrus scored on a passed ball in the fifth inning and outfielder Josh Hamilton smacked a solo home run to centre
in the seventh inning to stretch Texas’ lead to 7-4.
"It seemed like the longer the game went, the better he got," manager Ron Washington said. "He was trying to get rhythm again those first few innings. They put some runs on the board, but we came back and answered, and he continued to pound the strike zone.
All of a sudden his fastball was crisper, his breaking ball was crisper."
"We did a decent job against Darvish. If you can get five runs off him you're doing pretty well," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He has good secondary pitches. He looks like a breaking-ball pitcher."
Tigers fought back bravely in closing stages of the contest but the Rangers held on to their slim lead to level up the series.
Tigers’ starting pitcher Drew Smyly paid the ultimate price for his errors on the mound as he allowed eight hits and six runs in just over four innings to take his third loss of the season. Relief pitcher Luis Marte also struggled to control the flow of
runs as, allowing two hits and one runs in just over two innings. Rangers’ starter Yu Darvish claimed his tenth win of the season after fanned ten batters in seven solid innings.
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