This game looked like it was going to be a letdown after yesterday's 10-run outburst from the offense. Justin Verlander befuddled the Rangers through seven innings and, other than an inexplicable 3rd inning where Martin Perez went single, walk, double, walk, walk with all with two outs, to give up two runs, neither team was doing much at the plate as we headed to the 8th inning.
Down 2-0 and having collected just three hits off Verlander while striking out nine times, the Rangers got to the Tigers' bullpen and got to them quick:
Top 8th: Texas
Justin Wilson pitching
Rougned Odor singled to center
Nomar Mazara singled to center, Rougned Odor to third
Mark Lowe pitching
Drew Stubbs at pinch runner Adrian Beltre singled to center, Rougned Odor scored, Drew Stubbs to second
Prince Fielder grounded out to first, Drew Stubbs to third, Adrian Beltre to second
Ian Desmond hit sacrifice fly to right, Drew Stubbs scored
Mitch Moreland intentionally walked
Elvis Andrus hit by pitch, Adrian Beltre to third, Mitch Moreland to second
Bobby Wilson homered (375 ft.) to deep left, Adrian Beltre, Mitch Moreland and Elvis Andrus scored
Delino DeShields homered (379 ft.) to deep left center
Kyle Ryan pitching
Rougned Odor singled to center
Drew Stubbs walked, Rougned Odor to second
Adrian Beltre struck out swinging
7 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors
TEX 7, DET 2
Bobby Wilson and Delino DeShields combined for three home runs in 2015. In the 8th inning of a 2-2 game, Wilson and DeShields went back-to-back because baseball is often quite queer.
For the Rangers, the seven-run inning was their eighth time this season in which they've scored five or more runs in an inning. No other American League team has more than three such innings. The Rangers and Tigers each added a run in the 9th to make it an 8-3 final score.
Just like that, the Rangers completed a sweep of Detroit on Mother's Day to clinch a 4-3 winning weeklong road trip. After losing three straight in Toronto, coming home a game up feels like a boon -- thanks to a lot of boom from the bats -- for this Texas team.
Player of the Game: Just as we all predicted, Bobby Wilson hit the first grand slam for the Rangers since Aug. 2014. Wilson also collected three hits and a walk for his afternoon to go along with his first career slam.
Up Next: The Rangers return home to open a series against the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox. Colby Lewis makes the start for Texas against John Danks' rotation replacement RHP Miguel Gonzalez of Chicago.