Detroit @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 23, 2010 ) Detroit 4, Texas 5
Making his major league debut Friday night against the Detroit Tigers, all eyes were on Texas Rangers first baseman Justin Smoak. But, in the end, shortstop Elvis Andrus emerged as the star of the game, lifting the Rangers to a 5-4 victory with a walk-off single in the ninth inning.
Texas hopes to ride that momentum into Saturday night’s game as it sends right-hander Scott Feldman to the mound, who was pushed back a day because of a stomach virus. He will be opposed by Detroit left-hander Dontrelle Willis.
Feldman lasted only 2 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees last Saturday. He allowed four runs on seven hits with two walks, matching his shortest outing as a starter. The last time that happened, coincidentally, was against the Tigers last July, when Feldman went 2 1/3 innings and allowed six runs on 10 hits with two walks.
Feldman has struggled his entire career against the Tigers, posting an 8.82 ERA in seven lifetime appearances, including two starts. That is Feldman’s highest ERA against any American League opponent.
But Feldman should have support, as the Rangers offense continues to excel at home.
Vladimir Guerrero had a home run and double on Friday and has now hit safely in 50-of-57 career games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Andrus and Michael Young also recorded RBIs in the contest.
Smoak had a successful debut, too. He drew a walk to lead off the ninth inning, which proved to be the game-winning run. Smoak didn’t score, instead being replaced by pinch-runner Joaquin Arias before the run scored.
The Tigers had their own player making his big league debut, as well. Brennan Boesch started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a double.
The last time two players made their major league debut in the same game was Sept. 2, 2006, when current Rangers outfielder David Murphy started in right field for the Boston Red Sox and Adam Lind started at designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Boesch is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday night. The top of the Tigers’ lineup hit well, with Austin Jackson, Johnny Damon, Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera all recording hits on Friday night. The Nos. 6-9 hitters went 3-for-15 in the contest.
More than the offense, the Tigers need a strong outing from Willis, who has has looked good so far this season, but has yet to earn a victory.
In his last outing against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Willis took the loss despite going six innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
Last year, Willis won his only game with Detroit against the Rangers, going 6 1/3 innings and allowed no runs and one hit with five strikeouts.
Finally, in his lone start in Arlington back in 2008, Willis went five innings and allowed three runs on two hits with five walks and four strikeouts.