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Ogando, Rangers hope to salvage finale with Tigers

Aug 4, 2011 - 2:43 PM (Sports Network) - Alexi Ogando aims to beat the Detroit Tigers for the third time this season this afternoon and help the Texas Rangers avoid a sweep in the finale of their three-game set against them at Comerica Park.

Ogando has been nearly flawless in his two starts versus the Tigers this season, as he has allowed just a run in 14 2/3 innings against them and has struck out 11. In 17 innings against Detroit for his career, Ogando has pitched to a 1.06 earned run average.

No pitcher has beaten the Tigers three times this season.

The All-Star right-hander, though, enters today's finale riding a two-game losing streak after falling to Toronto his last time out. Ogando gave up three runs and four hits with four walks in 5 2/3 innings of that one, dropping him to 10-5 on the year to go along with a still-impressive 2.88 ERA.

Ogando has also three of his last four starts away from home.

Detroit, meanwhile, will counter with veteran righty Brad Penny, who, like Ogando, has lost his last two starts. Penny was destroyed by the Angels last Thursday, surrendering seven runs and nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. He also had a heated argument with catcher Victor Martinez, as he fell to 7-8 on the year and saw his ERA jump to 4.89

"It had nothing to do with pitch selection or anything like that," Penny explained later. "With a runner on second, I like to come set taking signs. That way, the hitter can't look at second base and anything there. I've pitched my whole career that way, and [Martinez] didn't want me to do it."

Penny is 1-3 lifetime versus the Rangers with a 4.60 ERA in five starts.

The Tigers handed the Rangers their third straight loss on Wednesday, as Alex Avila belted the tie-breaking solo homer in the sixth inning and Doug Fister's first start in a Detroit uniform was a successful one in the 5-4 triumph.

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.

Detroit has won six of eight meetings with Texas this season.