Detroit, MI – Alberto Gonzalez's bunt single plated the go- ahead run in the top of the 11th inning, as the Texas Rangers snuck past the Detroit Tigers, 3-2, in the final test of a four-game series.
Josh Hamilton went 3-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI for the Rangers, who are off to a 13-3 start and have won five consecutive series to open a season for just the second time in team history.
Texas starter Colby Lewis gave up two runs on seven hits over seven innings. Robbie Ross (3-0) tossed a scoreless 10th to pick up the win.
Brennan Boesch hit a solo homer for the Tigers, who lost three games in this series.
Drew Smyly allowed one run on five hits over six full frames. Thad Weber (0-1) gave up one run on three hits in the 11th to take the loss.
Weber started on the mound for the Tigers in the 11th. Nelson Cruz walked and Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba followed with consecutive singles to load the bases with nobody out. Gonzalez then plated Cruz with a bunt single. Weber was able to limit the damage by getting pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland to ground into a double play. Ian Kinsler then grounded out to keep it 3-2.
Joe Nathan worked around a two-out single in the home half of the frame to record his fourth save of the season.
Hamilton's homer to right in the first inning gave Texas an early 1-0 lead.
The Tigers got the run back in the third. Ramon Santiago led off with a triple to right-center field and scored two outs later on a wild pitch. Miguel Cabrera followed with a single off the wall in right, but was thrown out while trying to reach second.
Texas had a man on third with one out in the sixth, but Cruz went down looking and Napoli flied out.
Boesch's homer to right in the bottom of the frame gave Detroit a 2-1 edge.
The Rangers were able to tie the game in the eighth. Joaquin Benoit walked Elvis Andrus with one out. Phil Coke then took over on the mound. Andrus moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on catcher Alex Avila's throwing error and crossed the plate on Hamilton's sacrifice fly.
Game Notes
Texas' Michael Young went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games... The Rangers also won their first five series in 1989...The Tigers went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.
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