Tigers vs. Rangers: Justin Verlander Works Out Of Major Jam

When we left you, the Rangers had just tied the Tigers 2-2 in the top of the fifth. Texas was making Justin Verlander work, and even though they didn't have the lead, they probably felt more confident than their opponents.

The Tigers didn't do anything to answer. The bottom of the fifth lasted a batter past the minimum, but that was just because of Ramon Santiago's two-out single, and Austin Jackson ended the frame by striking out for the third time in three at bats.

That took us to the top of the sixth, and the top of the sixth was hairier than Justin Verlander's forearms. Mike Napoli led off with a sinking liner to center, and though Austin Jackson charged and got himself into position, the ball glanced off of his glove and dropped...for a single, and not an error. Scoring!

Following a strikeout of Nelson Cruz, Verlander allowed David Murphy to poke a curveball into the right-center gap for a double that put two runners in scoring position with one out. Verlander then walked Mitch Moreland, and the Rangers had the bases loaded for the top of the order.

One sensed that the game, and the series, was about to be decided. Ian Kinsler would find some way to bring in at least one run, and then the Rangers' pitching staff would keep the Tigers at bay. Wrote Jon Morosi:

Kinsler grounded the first pitch right to Brandon Inge. Inge stepped on third, then threw to first. Presto! 2-2, bottom six.