Rangers vs. Tigers: Texas Can’t Score After Generating Opportunity

This was a 3-2 game in the third inning, and this was a 3-2 game going into the sixth inning, as Scott Feldman had provided solid long relief behind Derek Holland, and Max Scherzer had worked his way into a groove. And this was a 3-2 game going into the bottom of the sixth inning, as Feldman kept on cruising in the top. Feldman allowed a leadoff single - the only hit or walk he's allowed since taking over in the third - and after a sacrifice bunt, he retired the next two batters with little problem.

Off we went to the bottom, where Scherzer looked to stay in his groove, which is somewhat interestingly both a synonym and antonym of "rut". Scherzer was quickly knocked out of his groove. He walked Elvis Andrus to start off, and then Josh Hamilton laced a single into left field.

That put the tying run in scoring position for the Rangers with nobody out and the 4-5-6 spots coming up. Easy, right? Incorrect! Michael Young - who's been in something of a slump - lined out to right field, albeit on a flare that Magglio Ordonez probably wouldn't have caught. Ryan Raburn did catch it, with Andrus advancing to third on the play.

The tying run was then 90 feet away for Adrian Beltre, but Beltre struck out swinging on three pitches, the last being a dynamite low slider. All of a sudden, Scherzer was one out away from escaping unscathed.

And he escaped unscathed when Mike Napoli bounced a grounder to short.

Still 3-2 Tigers as we head to the seventh. Scherzer's up to 87 pitches thrown, so he might have another inning in him, so long as he's good.