Game Recap #17 Detroit Tigers @ Texas Rangers

Interleague play is done for the season, and the teams return to their respective leagues and familiar opponents. This usually leads to more scoring, and two teams that are no strangers to offense square off tonight in Arlington, Texas in one of the better ballparks for run scoring. The Texas Rangers are playing host to the Detroit Tigers. Texas gave the ball to Justin Grimm, and the prognosis for him in the first inning was much like his last name as the Tigers went to work very early. Austin Jackson led off with a double, and Quintin Berry followed up with a bunt single, which put both in prime position to score on a Miguel Cabrera double. Cabrera in turn came home on a Delmon Young single, Young scored on a Jhonny Peralta double, and Peralta crossed home when Ramon Santiago touched Grimm for a single, before finally Jackson was retired in his second at-bat of the inning. Grimm was sent out for the second inning as well, but he fared no better here, walking Berry, who then stole second to be able to score after Cabrera singled and Prince Fielder hit a sacrifice fly. Michael Kirkman took over for Grimm, who turned in a line of one inning, eight hits and a walk producing six earned runs, and no strikeouts. Kirkman didn't do as bad, but he still gave up a run to Fielder in the fifth inning on a Peralta groundout and a sixth inning run to Jackson after Cabrera doubled. Kirkman exited after five innings of relief, allowing two hits, two walks, two earned runs, and he struck out five. Mark Lowe was next in the Rangers bullpen, and he kept things spotless save for a couple of walks. On the other side of things, Tigers starter Rick Porcello had a good go of it, working into the seventh inning before leaving as Leonys Martin walked to get on base. Porcello exited with six innings pitched, allowing six hits and three walks, and one earned run as Martin would score when Josh Hamilton took Brayan Villarreal deep for a two run home run. Villarreal was spotless from there, and Joaquin Benoit worked the ninth inning, allowing just Elvis Andrus' single to make it 8-2 for a final. Grimm was obviously tagged for the loss, and Porcello's nice game stood for the win, as the road teams strike again on our little journey here.