Rangers Can’t Hang On and Lose to Tigers, 7-6

Melvin Nieves’ three-run double off center fielder Damon Buford’s glove capped a five-run eighth inning as the Detroit Tigers rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers Monday night at Arlington, Texas.

Travis Fryman hit his third homer of the season for the Tigers.

Pinch hitter Mike Simms hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Rangers a 5-2 lead. It was Texas’ first pinch-hit homer since 1995.

Ranger starter John Burkett gave up singles to Damion Easley and Fryman in the eighth before being lifted for Ed Vosberg (0-1). Tony Clark greeted Vosberg with a run-scoring single to make it 5-3 and Bobby Higginson followed with a single to load the bases.

Nieves then hit a drive to deep center that Buford ran down and got his glove on, but the ball bounced free when he made contact with the wall and three runs scored.

Curtis Pride was then hit by Vosberg and Brian Johnson doubled off Xavier Hernandez. Pride scored on Deivi Cruz’s squeeze bunt to make it 7-5.

The Rangers loaded the bases in the bottom inning with none out, but were held to Marc Sagmoen’s sacrifice fly.

A.J. Sager (2-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning to earn the victory in relief.

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NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Detroit Tigers

WHERE: Anaheim Stadium

WHEN: Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 7 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.