Tigers Split DH with Rangers

So much for building off last night's dramatic finish. Any momentum from that game quickly disappeared in the first game of today's doubleheader versus the Rangers. The Tigers were never in the game as the Rangers routed them 13-6. Starting pitcher Chad Durbin made an early exit after allowing 5 runs in 2 2/3 innings. A parade of relief pitchers did not do much better as the Tigers were down 11-0 before they could get on the board with 5 runs in the 8th. The wind was blowing out at Comerica and the Rangers had 7 home runs including 2 by Marlon Byrd.

The Tigers had one homer, a three run shot by Mike Hessman in the 8th. Tigers with multiple hits included Timo Perez with 3 and Hessman, Sean Casey and Marcus Thames with 2 apiece. Several of the regulars did not see much action in the first game. Pudge Rodriguez, Placido Polanco and Gary Sheffield did not start and Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez and Brandon Inge were removed early as the game became a rout.

They salvaged a split by taking the nightcap 4-1. They jumped out to 3-0 first inning lead off Brandon McCarthy on a walk, 3 hits and 3 stolen bases. Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez each had RBI singles and Pudge Rodriguez an RBI double. Curtis Granderson had 2 of the stolen bases and now has 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts for the season. McCarthy did not make it out of the first inning but Jamey Wright calmed things down allowing one run in 6 innings.

Tigers starter Jair Jurrjens pitched a solid game in his first outing since coming off the disabled list. He allowed just 1 run on 3 hits in 5 innings. Jason Grilli, Fernando rodney and Todd Jones finished it off with 4 scoreless innings.

The Yankees currently have an 8-2 lead in the 8th so the Tigers will likely be down 4 games in the wild card chase at the end of the day. The Tigers are 6 games behind the Indians in the AL Central pending the outcome of their game with the White Sox tonight. Right now, they are tied 3-3 in the 5th inning. The Rubber match of the series between Detroit and Texas will pit Justin Verlander versus Edison Volquez tomorrow night.