Tigers pitching stops Rangers

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Tigers pitching tames Texas bats
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com


DETROIT -- The little men in Detroit's lineup made a big difference Sunday as the Tigers defeated the Rangers, 3-1, to take two of three in the weekend series at Comerica Park.
Diminutive second baseman Omar Infante, who came into the series with a stretch of 314 at-bats without a home run, delivered his second homer of the three-game set to put Detroit ahead, 2-1, in the third.

That lead held up as starter Jason Johnson and relievers Al Levine, Esteban Yan and Ugueth Urbina kept the Texas offense in check. The Rangers manged just six hits.

The Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the second when Eric Young singled, stole second and scored on a single by Gerald Laird. But Detroit quickly tied it when Bobby Higginson doubled in the second and scored on Brandon Inge's single.

After Infante put the Tigers ahead, Detroit got some insurance in the seventh when speedy leadoff man Alex Sanchez used a drag bunt single to drive in a run.

The Rangers fell to 22-15 and finished their six-game road trip at 3-3. They'll open a six-game homestand Tuesday against Kansas City.

Detroit improved to 18-19.

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Detroit Tigers starter Jason Johnson pitches in the third inning against the Texas Rangers Sunday, May 16, 2004, in Detroit. Johnson (2-5) left after the fifth because of a blister on his pitching hand, a problem that has bothered the right-hander all season. He allowed one run on five hits, and struck out a season-best seven. The Tigers beat the Rangers 3-1. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Detroit Tigers' Omar Infante rounds the bases past Texas Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock, left, after hitting a solo home run in the third inning Sunday, May 16, 2004, in Detroit. The Tigers beat the Rangers 3-1. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)