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Red-hot Rangers chase Porcello early, rout Tigers

Apr 21, 2012 - 8:15 PM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Josh Hamilton hit a three-run blast during an eight-run first inning as Texas downed Detroit, 10-4, in a twinbill opener from Comerica Park.

Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz and Mitch Moreland all finished with two hits and two RBI for the Rangers, who again matched the 1989 club (12-2) for the best start in franchise history.

Texas has won eight in a row to claim the best record in baseball.

The win didn't come without a cost, as third baseman Adrian Beltre exited in the second inning with a strained left hamstring.

Matt Harrison (3-0) worked 7 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs with six strikeouts.

Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run shot and Austin Jackson added a solo homer for the Tigers, who have dropped the first two in this four-game series.

The nightcap of the doubleheader is slated to begin at 7:05 p.m. (et).

Rick Porcello (1-1) didn't make it out of the second inning, charged with 10 hits and nine runs -- eight earned -- while recording just three outs.

Porcello was down 3-0 just three batters in, as Kinsler led off with a single and stole second, Elvis Andrus walked then Hamilton cleared the bases with his sixth homer of the season.

Beltre singled, Michael Young reached on a Brandon Inge throwing error then Cruz singled in another run. David Murphy's single loaded the bases but Mike Napoli fanned looking. Moreland's single plated two and Kinsler's triple to the deepest part of the park scored another pair to make it 8-0.

Texas kept up the onslaught in the second. Beltre led off with a double before departing. Young singled and pinch-runner Alberto Gonzalez moved to third, and after Cruz singled in Gonzalez, Porcello was finally removed.

Jackson barely cleared the wall to the left of center to start the home fourth, then Cabrera singled with one out and came home on a double by Delmon Young.

Detroit's only answer thereafter was a two-run homer from Cabrera in the eighth which followed a Brennan Boesch single that chased Harrison in favor of Koji Uehara.

Napoli's two-out solo homer -- the fifth in his last five appearances -- in the ninth put the visitors in double digits.

Game Notes

Texas became the first team in the majors to win 12 of its first 14 games since the 2005 Los Angeles Dodgers...Tigers right fielder Ryan Raburn, who entered the game hitting a blistering .667 (8-for-12) lifetime against Harrison, went 0-for-4...Napoli has six homers during his torrid stretch.