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Tigers use huge sixth inning to rout Rangers

Apr 24, 2008 - 4:45 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- It's beginning to look like the Detroit Tigers' early offensive struggles were just a mirage.

Carlos Guillen had three hits and five RBI, leading the Tigers to a 19-6 rout over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

Through Detroit's first 12 games, the Tigers averaged less than three runs per game and saw their highly touted offense get shut out four times - one more than all of last season. Since a 2-10 start, however, they has won seven of 10, largely due to an offense that has averaged 7.8 runs.

"It's coming along good - very positive for us," Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez said. "It's a lineup from (Nos.) 1-9, we can hit."

On Wednesday, Detroit broke the game open courtesy of an 11-run sixth inning that turned a close game into a laugher.

Holding a 7-6 lead in the sixth, Guillen started the scoring onslaught with a two-run double - the first of nine consecutive Detroit batters to reach base - before Miguel Cabrera belted a three-run shot for his fifth homer of the season.

After Ramon Santiago was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home another run four hitters later, Curtis Granderson added a two-run single and Rodriguez followed with an RBI double.

Guillen plated the 10th run of the inning with a sacrifice fly before Magglio Ordonez capped the frame with a run-scoring single.

The incredible sixth-inning outburst was two runs short of the franchise record, last set in August 8, 2001, vs. Texas. Coincidentally, the 19 runs scored Wednesday were the most by the Tigers since they posted an identical run total in that game seven years ago.

"Our pitchers took a serious beating tonight," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "They threw too many pitches over the plate and they were hit hard."

The 11 runs by the Tigers were the most in a single inning since matching that total in the sixth inning on April 23, 2004, against the Cleveland Indians.

"I think it was a combination of real good hitting and a couple of bad pitches for their team," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "But the biggest thing was walks."

Granderson went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI in his season debut for the Tigers.

"He's the leadoff guy," Guillen said. "You need to keep the leadoff guy healthy. He hits for power, average (and) steals bases."

Clay Rapada (2-0) took over for ineffective starter Kenny Rogers in the fourth and set down each of the five Rangers he faced to get the win.

Texas reliever Frank Francisco (0-1) surrendered two runs and two hits over 2 1/3 innings to take the loss.