Final
Avila powers Tigers past Rangers
Aug 4, 2011 - 5:21 AMVideo
Fister (4-12), who was acquired from the Mariners as part of a six-player deal this past weekend, recorded his first victory since May 30. The right-hander, who had lost his previous seven decisions over a 10-start span, allowed eight hits and three runs -- two earned -- over seven innings.
"I really liked his presence on the mound, his demeanor," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He did a real fine job for us tonight. I'm really happy for him."
Avila, who had two RBI, has homered in both contests so far in this three- game series. Ryan Raburn added a homer off Koji Uehara in the eighth inning.
Jose Valverde surrendered a homer to Mike Napoli in the ninth, but settled down to convert his 30th consecutive save to begin the season for the AL Central-leading Tigers, who have won three in a row and widened their lead in the division to four games over the Indians.
Matt Harrison (9-8), who had won his previous three decisions, gave up nine hits and four runs over six innings.
Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz each had two hits and an RBI for the Rangers, who remained a game ahead of the Angels for first place in the AL West.
Napoli homered for a second straight night, going deep to left with one out. David Murphy then grounded out to second base and Yorvit Torrealba struck out swinging.
Raburn and Avila singled in runs in the second inning, and Miguel Cabrera's RBI double to left plated Austin Jackson in the next frame for a 3-0 margin.
Cruz doubled in Hamilton in the fourth. With men on the corners, Napoli hit a bouncer off the glove of third baseman Wilson Betemit, allowing Cruz to score.
Harrison escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half, and the Rangers tied the game in the fifth when shortstop Jhonny Peralta failed to turn an inning- ending double play with the throw skipping past the first baseman.
With two outs in the sixth, Avila turned on a 2-1 offering and homered to right field.
"I was just trying to do everything I could to keep the game close," Harrison said. "It's real frustrating to get to that point in the game and give up the home run, giving them the lead."
Raburn smacked his 10th homer of the year to left with two down in the eighth.
Game Notes
The slump continued for Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, as he went hitless in four at-bats. He's 1-for-30 over his last seven games...The Tigers have won 16 of their last 19 at home against the Rangers...Valverde's 30 straight saves converted is the second-longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Guillermo Hernandez converted 32 straight save opportunities for the Tigers April 6 to September 23, 1984...Detroit has won six of eight meetings with Texas this season.
- TEXAS: 4
DETROIT: 5
Final
Aug 3 9:53 PM - Mike Napoli one-out, solo Home Run (17) to left. David Murphy due up.
Rangers 4, Tigers 5 Top 9, 1 OutAug 3 9:49 PM - Ryan Raburn two-out, solo Home Run (10) to left. Alex Avila due up.
Rangers 3, Tigers 5 Bot 8, 2 OutsAug 3 9:37 PM - Alex Avila two-out, solo Home Run (12) to right. Wilson Betemit due up.
Rangers 3, Tigers 4 Bot 6, 2 OutsAug 3 9:00 PM - Josh Hamilton grounded into a fielder's choice, second to short scored Yorvit Torrealba. Elvis Andrus out at second. Runner on first with two outs and Michael Young due up.
Rangers 3, Tigers 3 Top 5, 2 OutsAug 3 8:38 PM - Mike Napoli reached first on Wilson Betemit's fielding error scored Nelson Cruz. Runner on first with two outs and David Murphy due up.
Rangers 2, Tigers 3 Top 4, 2 OutsAug 3 8:16 PM - Nelson Cruz doubled to right scored Josh Hamilton. Runner on second with one out and Mitch Moreland due up.
Rangers 1, Tigers 3 Top 4, 1 OutAug 3 8:12 PM - Miguel Cabrera doubled to left scored Austin Jackson. Runner on second with two outs and Victor Martinez due up.
Rangers 0, Tigers 3 Bot 3, 2 OutsAug 3 8:01 PM - Alex Avila singled to left scored Ryan Raburn. Runner on first with two outs and Wilson Betemit due up.
Rangers 0, Tigers 2 Bot 2, 2 OutsAug 3 7:42 PM - Ryan Raburn singled to right scored Miguel Cabrera, advanced to second on the throw. On the play, Victor Martinez thrown out at third. Runner on second with two outs and Alex Avila due up.
Rangers 0, Tigers 1 Bot 2, 2 OutsAug 3 7:40 PM - TEXAS: 0
DETROIT: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 3 7:08 PM
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