DETROIT (AP) — Jesse Chavez pitched into the seventh inning in his longest outing in over two years, and the Texas Rangers became the latest visiting team to win in Detroit, beating the Tigers 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Detroit has lost 18 of its last 20 home games, and that does not include a game last month that was suspended with the Tigers trailing.
Chavez (3-2) allowed an unearned run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven with no walks. The right-hander has pitched mostly in relief this season, but before Tuesday’s game, Texas manager Chris Woodward said Chavez had a chance to pitch five or six innings if he was efficient.
He surpassed that. This was his longest outing since he went seven innings on June 16, 2017.
Ronald Guzman homered for Texas, and Ronny Rodriguez went deep in the ninth inning for Detroit.
Jordan Zimmermann (0-5) allowed three runs in five innings. Detroit has lost five straight and nine of 10.
Nomar Mazara opened the scoring for Texas with an RBI single in the first, and Logan Forsythe added a sacrifice fly later that inning. Joey Gallo — back from the injured list after missing over three weeks with a left oblique strain — added an RBI double to make it 3-0 in the third.
Guzman hit a solo homer in the sixth. Detroit answered with a run in the bottom of that inning, when shortstop Elvis Andrus’ throw to first got away for an error.
Guzman hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Rodriguez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth to make it 5-3.
The Rangers were without Asdrúbal Cabrera, who was starting a three-game suspension for hitting an umpire with equipment.
TRANSACTIONS
The Tigers announced that they have agreed to terms with right-hander Ted Stuka, their 14th-round pick in this year’s draft.
Texas announced the signing of right-handers Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa (30th round) and Nick Yoder (34th round).
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rangers: Gallo also drew a walk and struck out three times in his return. … Woodward said Hunter Pence (right groin strain) is unlikely to be activated when he’s eligible Thursday. Woodward said the veteran outfielder is more likely to return after the team’s series at Tampa Bay this coming weekend.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Mike Minor (7-4) starts for Texas on Wednesday night against the Tigers.
Tigers: Detroit sends Matthew Boyd (5-5) to the mound. Boyd has quality starts in 10 of his 16 starts this year.
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