Texas’ Bats & Poor Defense Doom Tigers In Series Opener

Texas Rangers   10   Detroit Tigers   3    (F)

In a match-up of teams with the best records in the American League so far this season, it’s clear the Tigers still have much to do if they want to avenge last season’s ALCS exit at the hands of the Texas Rangers. Newcomer Yu Darvish was outstanding in this game, allowing 1 run and 2 hits over 6.1 innings and the Texas offense gave him plenty to work with. The Rangers got to Tigers starter Adam Wilk right off the bat and by the time Leyland releived Wilk of his duties after 4 innings, Texas already had 10 hits and were up 3 runs. It wasn’t that Wilk was terribly bad, but Texas was just better.

Rangers SP Yu Darvish silenced the Tigers offense, as Texas won 10-3 in the series opener. (Reuters)

Colin Balester came in to pitch another 2.2 innings and Texas lead 5-1 after 7 innings. The wheels really came off Detroit in the 8th inning when Daniel Schlereth gave up 5 hits and 5 runs to put the Rangers in firm control of the game. Detroit would score 2 in the bottom half of the inning but that’s all they could muster against a strong Texas bullpen.

When all was said and done the Rangers had put up 10 runs and 19 hits against the Tigers. Detroit had just 3 runs on 5 hits, and 2 errors. It’s hard to believe that we’d be talking about a lack of offensive production from Detroit but that’s the spot they’re in. Just in the past week, they haven’t been able to get much of anything off of Chicago’s Jake Peavy or Kansas City’s Bruce Chen, both pitchers they will see again this season. Today’s lineup even saw Don Kelly and Ramon Santiago take the spots of Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn. I’m curious to see who Tiger fans will blame today’s lack of offense and defense on.

Game 2 of the 4 game series is tomorrow night at Comerica Park. Detroit will need their offense to show up, along with starting pitcher Rick Porcello.