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Kinsler homers in return to Texas, Tigers beat Rangers 8-2

Jun 25, 2014 - 4:36 AM Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - J.D. Martinez's homer broke a tie in the seventh inning and helped the Detroit Tigers to an 8-2 win over the Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game set.

Ian Kinsler, making his first appearance in Texas since being traded in the offseason, added a solo homer and knocked in three for Detroit, which has won five straight.

Rajai Davis and Alex Avila each collected three hits and an RBI, with Avila scoring twice in the win.

Tigers starter Drew Smyly (4-6) snapped a two-start losing streak in limiting the Rangers to one unearned run with five strikeouts over six innings.

"I was able to make big pitches when I needed to," said Smyly. "After the third I thought I settled down pretty good. Once we get on a roll we're going to be fine."

While the Tigers are streaking, Texas is struggling, stretching its season- long losing streak to six games.

Colby Lewis (5-5) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Adrian Beltre went 4-for-4, all singles, and knocked in a run for the Rangers.

Detroit had the leadoff man on base to begin the fifth and sixth, but couldn't push a run across until the seventh, when Victor Martinez led off with a double and J.D. Martinez chased him home with a homer to center for a 3-1 advantage.

Detroit poured it on from there.

Austin Jackson hit a one-out single, stole second and scored when Avila stroked a single to center off reliever Ben Rowen to increase the cushion to 4-1.

Eugenio Suarez doubled to right to put runners on second and third before Davis flicked a single to right that scored Avila.

Kinsler struck out and Miguel Cabrera was intentionally walked to load the bases. Victor Martinez was then walked on six pitches by Shawn Tolleson to force in the fifth run of the inning.

The Tigers added some more in the eighth as Kinsler pulled a single into left that scored Avila and Suarez for an 8-1 lead.

Rougned Odor singled with two outs in the ninth and scored on Leonys Martin's double into the left-field corner to account for the final margin.

Earlier, Kinsler had a memorable first at-bat in his former park, yanking a homer into the seats in left, flipping his bat and gesturing to the Rangers' dugout as he gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

"Yeah, I saw the gesture," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "Colby told him about that."

Kinsler said he was saying hello to his former mates.

"Just saying (hello)," he said. "I was having a good time in my return home. It was a good feeling so I was just having fun."

Kinsler, who played his first eight seasons as a Ranger, was part of the blockbuster deal in the offseason that sent Prince Fielder to Texas in a player-for-player swap.

"We had some good at-bats," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Obviously Kinsler had a good game. It was funny with him because in every at-bat, it went from mixed boos with cheers to more boos with every at-bat."

Beltre led off the second with a single which was the 2,500th hit of his career. The Texas faithful acknowledged Beltre, giving the 17-year veteran a brief standing ovation as the public address announcer informed the crowd of the feat.

"He's an excellent player," Ausmus said of Beltre. "He just hits. He plays both sides of the ball so you enjoy watching guys like that."

Alex Rios then walked to put two on with no outs, however, newly promoted first baseman Carlos Pena struck out before Michael Choice and Robinson Chirinos both popped up to end the inning.

The Rangers threatened again in the third and Beltre cashed in with another base hit to tie the game at 1-1.

With a runner on first and one out, Elvis Andrus grounded one back to Smyly, who tossed to Suarez in an attempt to turn a double play, but the shortstop was charged with a missed catch error as both runners reached safely.

Two batters later, with two outs and runners at the corners, Beltre muscled a single into left that scored Daniel Robertson.

Game Notes

J.D. Martinez, the reigning AL Player of the Week, extended his hitting streak to 13 games ... Kinsler ranks in the top 10 of Rangers history in games played (1066), home runs (156) and RBI (539) ... Detroit pounded out 16 hits compared to nine from Texas ... The Rangers went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.