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Tigers Vs. Rangers: Detroit Defeated By Texas On Controversial Bunt Call

The Tigers came up short in 11 innings with Texas on Sunday after a controversial run gave the Rangers a lead.

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14 Total Updates since April 19, 2012
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Tigers Vs. Rangers Final Score: Detroit Edged In 11th Inning By Texas, 3-2

The Detroit Tigers couldn't quite salvage a split of their four-game series with Texas on Sunday afternoon, and fell 3-2 to the Rangers in an exhaustive 11-inning game.

The decisive run of the day did come with plenty of controversy, as a squeeze bunt from Alberto Gonzalez appeared to have allowed all runners to advance safely and the game-winning run to score. On replay, however, it was shown that the ball hit Gonzalez's knee before bouncing into the field of play, which should have created a foul ball situation.

Detroit outfielder Brennan Boesch knocked his second home run of the season out of the yard in the sixth inning off starter Colby Lewis, but also struck out three times on the day. The Tigers had a close call in their final at-bat with Prince Fielder at the plate and Miguel Cabrera on first base, but a moon shot from Fielder's bat feel a mere feet short of the fence to put the game on ice.

The 10-6 Tigers will be desperate to get back into the winning spirit on Tuesday with Seattle coming to town and starter Max Scherzer expected to get the ball.

For more on the Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys. For more MLB coverage, make sure to check out Baseball Nation.

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Tigers Vs. Rangers Final Score: Justin Verlander, Detroit Escape In 2nd Game Of Doubleheader, 3-2

It might not have been the most pristine performance of his career, but Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander struck out eight batters to earn his second win of the season in Saturday night's 3-2 victory over Texas in game two of the doubleheader.

Verlander labored through six innings, needing an uncharacteristic 115 pitches, before leaving with a 3-1 lead to start the seventh. Despite three walks on the game, Verlander allowed just four hits, and the only run he let cross the plate went in the scorebook as unearned. The 2011 AL MVP proceeded to watch as closer Jose Valverde made things quite interesting in the bottom of the ninth, before eventually preserving the one-run lead against Texas slugger Josh Hamilton.

Detroit's offense could only manage to add runs in the fourth inning against Texas pitching, as a pair of two-out hits from Delmon Young and Ramon Santiago proved to be the difference. Prince Fielder, who finished 1-for-3, was the only other Detroit batter to record a hit on the day.

The 10-5 Tigers will send rookie Drew Smyly to the mound for Sunday's series finale. The Rangers will counter with 2012 Opening Day starter Colby Lewis, who won 14 games last season.

For more on the Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys. For more MLB news and analysis, check out Baseball Nation.

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Tigers Vs. Rangers Final Score: Texas Wins 10-4 At Comerica

The Texas Rangers took the first leg of Saturday's double-header against the Detroit Tigers, winning 10-4 on the strength of an eight-run first inning. Rick Porcello was pulled from the mound after just one-plus innings after giving up his ninth run (eighth earned) on a Nelson Cruz single to center field.

Duane Below took over pitching duties and cooled off the Rangers' bats. He lasted six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out four hitters. The Tigers couldn't quite get the needed firepower to crawl out of a 9-0 deficit, however. Miguel Cabrera had a nice day, going 3-for-4 from the plate including a two-run home run in the eighth inning. Fellow slugger Prince Fielder went 0-for-4, however, in just his third hitless game as a Tiger.

Josh Hamilton hit a three-run shot to open up the scoring for the Rangers, and Mike Napoli took Daniel Schlereth deep in the ninth for his fifth homer in five games. Austin Jackson homered in the fourth to put Detroit on the board.

Final - 4.19.2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Texas Rangers 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 5 0 10 19 1
Detroit Tigers 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 5 2
WP: Yu Darvish (2 - 0)
LP: Adam Wilk (0 - 2)

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