Grossman homers, Tigers top punchless Rangers for 5 in row

DETROIT (AP) — Robbie Grossman and Eric Haase homered as the Detroit Tigers extended their winning streak to five games with a rain-delayed 4-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

The Rangers have lost seven straight and been outscored 43-3 in five games since the All-Star break. They were shut out in the previous three before Tuesday.

“I was really upset yesterday, but I was a lot happier today,” Texas manager Chris Woodward said. “We had better at-bats and better swings. We just got beat.”

Tarik Skubal (6-8) got the win, giving up one run and four hits in six innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

“The Rangers are really aggressive, so I knew if I could throw a sinker early in the count, I could probably get a groundball,” Skubal said. “When I can do that, I don't worry about the strikeouts.”

Three relievers finished for the Tigers. Gregory Soto struck out the side in the ninth for his ninth save.

“Skubal has really good stuff, and those three guys at the end were just filthy,” Woodward said. “It's going to be tough to beat that team at the end of games.”

Dane Dunning (3-7) allowed three runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings before being removed as the Rangers try to limit his workload.

“I felt pretty good out there. I just made two mistakes and they hit them out,” Dunning said. “I understand why they are keeping my pitches down, but I really wanted to get that last out in the fifth.”

The game started 2 hours, 10 minutes late due to thunderstorms in the area.

“I think it says a lot about our team that, even with a last-minute rain delay that went two hours, we came out hungry and ready to go,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.

The Rangers appeared likely to end their scoring drought in the first...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Grossman-homers-Tigers-top-punchless-Rangers-for-16328525.php