DETROIT — On a day full of bad news on the injury front, at least the Texas Rangers could enjoy a victory.
Shin-Soo Choo hit a home run, Chris Gimenez had four hits and the Rangers rolled to a 9-2 victory over the slumping Detroit Tigers on Thursday.
This was supposed to be Prince Fielder’s first game back in Detroit after the Tigers traded him in the offseason, but the big first baseman didn’t make the trip because of a herniated disk in his neck that could keep him out the rest of the season.
“You just want to go out there and give yourself a chance, hope your pitching staff gives you a chance,” Manager Ron Washington said. “We understand not every day we’re going to be able to put nine runs up, especially against this team.”
Yu Darvish (4-2) allowed 2 runs and 6 hits in 7 innings, striking out 6 and walking 3.
The Rangers broke through quickly against Detroit rookie Robbie Ray (1-1), who lasted only 3 1/3 innings. Ray allowed 7 runs, 9 hits and 4 walks, and the American League Central-leading Tigers lost their fourth consecutive.
Ian Kinsler, who was traded to Detroit for Fielder in an offseason blockbuster, went 1 for 3 in his first game against the Rangers.
The Tigers breezed to a 27-12 start before being swept in a three-game series at Cleveland. Right-handers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were both knocked around in that series, and a 13-inning finale against the Indians taxed the bullpen.
Ray’s start Thursday made the situation even worse, and infielder Danny Worth ended up pitching the ninth inning for Detroit. Worth, throwing a knuckleball, actually struck out two in a scoreless inning.
Texas has won consecutive games for only the second time this month, but the Rangers’ injury problems remain a major concern. It looks like they will be without Fielder for a while, and in the third inning center fielder Daniel Robertson hurt himself in an outfield collision. Robertson came diving in headfirst to try to make a catch, at the same time Rios came sliding in from right.
Replays showed a wad of gum popping out of Robertson’s mouth when the two players collided. X-ray and concussion tests were negative.
BLUE JAYS 7, RED SOX 2 Mark Buehrle won his majors-leading eighth game, Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista homered on consecutive pitches, and visiting Toronto beat Boston for a three-game sweep.
RAYS 5, ATHLETICS 2 (11) Sean Rodriguez hit a three-run home run with two out in the 11th inning Thursday to lift host Tampa Bay to a victory over Oakland. Josh Lueke (1-2) earned the victory after one inning of relief for the Rays.
WHITE SOX 3, YANKEES 2 Chris Sale retired 18 of 19 batters over six scoreless innings and host Chicago beat New York. The left-hander retired the first 17 hitters after missing more than a month because of a flexor strain in his pitching arm.
INDIANS 8, ORIOLES 7 (13) Carlos Santana doubled in two runs with two outs in the 13th inning and visiting Cleveland beat Baltimore for their fourth consecutive victory.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
MARLINS 4, PHILLIES 3 Christian Yelich hit a two-out, bases-loaded RBI single in the ninth inning as Miami beat visiting Philadelphia.
CARDINALS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 2 Allen Craig drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out double in the seventh inning and St. Louis completed a three-game sweep of visiting Arizona.
METS 5, DODGERS 3 Jonathon Niese hit an RBI double to provide himself some much-needed run support, and host New York beat Los Angeles. PIRATES 3, NATIONALS 1 Edinson Volquez allowed one run in six sharp innings and Pittsburgh edged visiting Washington. Volquez (2-4) ended a three-game losing streak by limiting the Nationals to three hits, walking two and striking out four. BRAVES 5, BREWERS 4 Ryan Doumit’s pinch-hit single brought home two runs, capping a three-run seventh inning that carried host Atlanta to a victory over Milwaukee.
Thursday’s games
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Miami 4, Philadelphia 3 San Francisco at Colorado, susp., rain Pittsburgh 3, Washington 1 NY Mets 5, LA Dodgers 3 Atlanta 5, Milwaukee 4 St. Louis 4, Arizona 2 Chicago Cubs at San Diego, (n)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Texas 9, Detroit 2 Toronto 7, Boston 2 Tampa Bay 5, Oakland 2 (11) Cleveland 8, Baltimore 7 (13) Chicago White Sox 3, NY Yankees 2 Houston at Seattle, (n)
Sports on 05/23/2014