Manning, Tigers win 6th in row, hand Texas 8th straight loss

DETROIT (AP) — Matt Manning pitched six strong innings and the Detroit Tigers won their sixth straight game, beating the skidding Texas Rangers 4-2 Wednesday night.

Robbie Grossman, Zack Short and Akil Baddoo hit home runs as the Tigers matched their longest winning streak since an eight-game run in 2016. Detroit has allowed a total of seven runs during this success string.

“This is just a lot of fun right now,” Short said. “We're going out there every day expecting to win, and we're picking each other up. I've struggled a little lately, and we've kept winning. Today, it was my turn to help.”

The Rangers have lost eight in a row. They've been outscored 47-5 in six games since the All-Star break and have played 69 straight innings without holding a lead.

“I feel better than I did, because we've at least given ourselves a chance in the last two games,” Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. “We weren't doing that for a while.”

Called up from Triple-A Toledo to make his sixth career start, Manning (2-3) gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks. He struck out four.

“I've put a lot of work in between starts to get more life on my fastball,” he said. “That's starting to show up in games, and that gives me a mix I can use to attack guys. My change and my slider look like my fastball when I'm pitching well.”

Gregory Soto pitched the ninth for his 10th save, but only after a bloop single, a hit batter and a balk put the tying runs in scoring position.

“Gregory certainly gets some style points for that inning,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “This was a tough win, but we hit the home runs when we needed them, and the pitchers got us through.”

Jordan Lyles (5-7) gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings. He has...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Manning-Tigers-win-6th-in-row-hand-Texas-8th-16331195.php