Thompson Home, but It Doesn’t Help

Detroit starter Justin Thompson, pitching in his home state for the first time and with lots of relatives in the stands, gave up a key two-run double to Ivan Rodriguez in the seventh inning and lost, 4-2, to the Texas Rangers Thursday.

Thompson (1-2) gave up seven hits in 6 1/3 innings and left the game after Mike Simms doubled with one out and Mike Devereaux walked.

“I wish I could’ve faced one more hitter,” said Thompson, who struck out five. “I would have liked to see if I could get a ground ball double play.”

Roger Pavlik (2-2) pitched a season-high seven innings after getting only 10 outs--total--in his previous two starts to lead the Rangers, who also received three hits and three runs batted in from Rodriguez.

Bill Ripken had a pinch-hit RBI to tie the game for Texas and rookie Danny Patterson struck out the side in the eighth. John Wetteland pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

Detroit Manager Buddy Bell was ejected by plate umpire Dale Ford in the top of the seventh after arguing Raul Casanova’s strikeout from the dugout. It was his second ejection this year.

“He just wanted to run me,” Bell said. “It’s a joke. It shows no respect. They have to understand what my job is. I have to show support for my players. I handled things the way they should’ve been handled.”