Tigers Stopped by Ranger Bullpen

The Texas Rangers’ bullpen stopped the bleeding Tuesday night.

The Rangers got hitless relief from three pitchers over the final 5 1/3 innings and Royce Clayton got the game-winning single in the 12th inning as Texas rebounded from a crushing loss to beat the Detroit Tigers, 4-3.

On Monday night the Rangers gave up 25 hits in a 19-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

“As a staff, we knew we weren’t getting the job done,” said Tim Crabtree who threw 2 1/3 innings of perfect relief. “We needed to bear down and get a well-pitched game and that’s what we did.”

Nelson Cruz (2-4) walked Roberto Kelly leading off the 12th. Kelly was sacrificed to second by Luis Alicea and scored on Clayton’s liner to center, sliding home just ahead of Gabe Kapler’s throw. It was the Rangers’ first hit since the sixth.

Ivan Rodriguez had a three-run homer for the Rangers, who are 21-5 this season against the AL Central.

“I tried to get a changeup down but threw the ball up to Pudge,” Tiger starter Justin Thompson said. “We played well, but it still ends up that it’s one ball that kills us.”