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Rangers try to extend fast start versus Tigers

Apr 12, 2011 - 3:05 PM (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers are off to their best start in team history, This afternoon they try to continue that roll in the middle test of their three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

The Rangers matched the franchise's best 10-game start in team history on Monday, as Michael Young and Mitch Moreland each had a run-scoring double in Texas' 2-0 win in the opener.

Young went 2-for-4 with a run scored for Texas, which has won three straight and is off to their best start since the 1989 campaign, when the team began 10-1. With another win today the Rangers can win their fourth straight series to start the season, a feat they haven't accomplished since 1993.

Alexi Ogando (2-0) was sensational, allowing only two hits and one walk while fanning four before leaving with a callus on a finger on his pitching hand. Neftali Feliz locked the win down and earned his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

"The blister started surfacing again and we just didn't want to take any chances, so we shut him down," Rangers manager Ron Washington said about Ogando.

Miguel Cabrera had two of the four hits for the Tigers, who have dropped three in a row and four of their last five. Detroit has also now dropped five of its last six to the Rangers.

Justin Verlander (1-1) was the hard-luck loser despite throwing his 11th career complete game. The veteran righty yielded two runs on six hits with one walk. He also fanned four.

"I don't think it's terribly disappointing for me, I think it's terribly disappointing for the team," Verlander said. "I made a couple of mistakes in the seventh inning and they took advantage, so that's what it came down to."

Getting the call for the Rangers this afternoon will be left-hander C.J. Wilson, who is 1-0 through two starts with a 2.84 earned run average. After a no-decision on Opening Day, Wilson picked up a win on Wednesday against Seattle, as he outdueled reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez and allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings.

This will be Wilson's first-ever start against the Tigers, but he has faced them six times out of the bullpen, pitching to a 5.79 ERA in those outings.

Detroit, meanwhile, will counter with veteran right-hander Brad Penny, who is still searching for his first win on the season and has pitched to a 11.17 ERA in two starts. Penny gave up eight runs in 4 1/3 innings to the New York Yankees in his Tigers debut, then surrendered four runs in 5 1/3 frames to Baltimore and received a no-decision his next time out.

Penny has also struggled against the Rangers over the course of his career, posting a 1-3 mark to go along with a 4.74 ERA in four starts.

Texas took six of nine from the Tigers last season.