ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers couldn’t solve Detroit’s pitching Friday afternoon, managing just three hits in a 3-0 loss to the Tigers before a sellout crowd of 37,576 at Globe Life Field.
Detroit wasted little time taking control. After two quick outs in the first inning, Riley Greene connected on a two-strike pitch from Cal Quantrill and sent it over the wall for a two-run homer, giving the Tigers an early lead they never relinquished. Detroit added another run in the second inning and relied on dominant pitching the rest of the way.
The shutout marked the Rangers’ sixth of the season and their first since early June against Cleveland. Texas also fell to 9-27 this year when its opponent scores in the opening inning.
Despite the loss, the Rangers have still won 10 of their last 15 games and remain one of the American League’s hottest clubs over the past month.
Quantrill (3-1) suffered his first defeat of the season, allowing three runs — two earned — over a season-high five innings. The veteran right-hander settled in after Greene’s home run, retiring his final 10 hitters and holding Detroit hitless over its final 13 at-bats against him.
A throwing error in the second inning helped extend Detroit’s lead, but Quantrill finished his outing efficiently, needing only 12 combined pitches to work through the fourth and fifth innings.
One bright spot for Texas came late in the game as right-hander Ben Peoples made an impressive Major League debut. The rookie tossed two scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out one. His first career strikeout came when he froze James Outman with a slider in the seventh inning.
Peoples became the Rangers’ third player to make his Major League debut this week, joining infielder Cam Cauley and pitcher Winston Santos.
Offensively, Texas never found a rhythm against Detroit starter Jack Flaherty. Flaherty earned just his second victory of the season after throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings, scattering three hits without issuing a walk while striking out five.
Josh Jung’s sixth-inning double ended Flaherty’s afternoon, but Detroit’s bullpen closed the door. Keider Montero handled the final three innings without allowing a run to record the first save of his Major League career.
The Rangers’ offense generated little beyond Evan Carter, who reached base three times with a single, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Joc Pederson accounted for Texas’ other hit with a leadoff single in the opening inning.
Veteran reliever Chris Martin also contributed a scoreless inning in relief, becoming the latest 40-year-old pitcher to appear for the Rangers after celebrating his birthday last month.
The series is now tied at one game apiece. Texas will look to bounce back in Saturday’s finale as it attempts to secure another series victory before continuing its homestand.
