Rangers 3 - 2 Tigers
Final/11
  for this game

Lewis aims to get Rangers back on track at Comerica

Apr 22, 2012 - 2:42 PM

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(Sports Network) - Colby Lewis aims to continue his early season success when the Texas Rangers conclude their four-game series against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Lewis, who threw seven innings in an 18-3 rout at Boston on Tuesday, has won his last five regular season decisions going back to 2011. His last such defeat came Sept. 3 at Boston.

Lewis is 2-2 with a 7.48 ERA in six games (5 starts) against the Tigers.

Countering for the Tigers will be Drew Smyly. The 22-year-old rookie left- hander allowed seven hits and an unearned run in his second big league start on Tuesday at Kansas City.

Yesterday, Justin Verlander tossed six solid frames, while Ramon Santiago slapped a game-deciding two-run single as the Tigers snapped the Rangers' eight-game winning streak with a 3-2 triumph in the nightcap of a doubleheader.

Texas downed Detroit 10-4 in the twinbill opener.

"You just don't go out there and snatch two games from a Major League team, that's why I don't like playing doubleheaders, they're tough," Texas manager Ron Washington said.

Verlander (2-1) fanned eight and allowed one run -- none earned -- on four hits and three walks in six innings for the Tigers, who dropped the first two of this four-game set.

"I'm obviously not satisfied with just throwing six, but when there's a couple of guys you throw 30 pitches to, it's difficult to go more than six," Verlander said of his outing.

With the tying run at second base in the top of the ninth, Jose Valverde struck out Josh Hamilton to pick up the nail-biting save, his fourth of the season.

David Murphy drove in both runs for Texas, which was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. Michael Young had a pair of hits and scored both runs.

Neftali Feliz (1-1) gave up three runs on three hits and four walks in a complete game. He struck out six in going the distance for the first time in his career.

The Tigers won seven of nine versus the Rangers last season, winning four of six in Detroit. Detroit has captured 17 of the club's last 22 games against the Rangers at Comerica Park during the regular season dating back to September 11, 2007.






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