Game Recap: Rangers Fall Flat In Detroit

The Texas Rangers (61-59) fell to the Detroit Tigers (59-61) on Thursday evening, losing 4-0 in the opening game of the four game series. Martin Perez (1-3, 5.30 ERA) had a decent outing for the Rangers tonight. Alfredo Simon (11-7, 4.52 ERA) threw a one hitter tonight and dominated for the Tigers.

The Rangers had nothing going for them tonight and it was one to forget if you are a Rangers fan. Tonight was a game that was supposed to help them gain ground in the Wild Card standings, but as the Rangers have done all season, they lost to an inferior opponent.

Martin Perez allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out four and walking three across five innings today. The 24-year-old southpaw had trouble with his command tonight, as his four walks would indicate. The loss snaps a three game win streak for Martin Perez and pushes the Rangers to two games back in the wildcard.

Alfredo Simon has had a tough go for the Tigers in 2015 but had his best performance by far tonight against the Rangers. Simon pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just one hit to Rougned Odor. Simon kept the Rangers hitters off balance all night in what turned out to be a completely lackluster performance by the Rangers. With the Rangers very much in the hunt for a postseason spot, it was incredibly disappointing to see them turn in such a lackluster performance.

The Detroit Tigers had the only offense to speak of tonight and they got things going early in the bottom half of the first. After two walks and a base hit by Victor Martinez in between, the Tigers had the bases loaded with two outs. Nick Castellanos came through for the Tigers, hitting a single to center that allowed Miguel Cabrera to score. Castellanos struck again in the third inning, lifting a sacrifice fly to right field and again scoring Cabrera. Then in the fifth inning, Miguel Cabrera decided to produce the runs instead of scoring them this time, hitting a single to center and scoring former Ranger Ian Kinsler. The Tigers got their final run of the night in the seventh, when Victor Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center scoring Rajai Davis.

The bullpen has been a sore spot for the Rangers so far this season, but in the past couple of games they have more than held their own. Tonight it wasn’t much different, as they only gave up one run in four innings. In a game full of negatives, this is a positive that Rangers fans can take with them headed into tomorrows game.

The Rangers probably can’t wait to get back on the field tomorrow after todays terrible effort, and they will play game two of the four game series against the Detroit Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 pm from Comerica Park. The Texas Rangers will turn to Colby Lewis (13-5 4.49 ERA) and the Tigers will counter with Justin Verlander (1-5 4.11 ERA). Fox Sports Southwest will broadcast the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

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