Rangers 7, Tigers 1
DETROIT -- Mitch Moreland and Adrian Beltre blasted two-run homers as the Texas Rangers handed Detroit Tigers starter Max Scherzer his first loss this season with a 7-1 victory on Saturday night at Comerica Park.
Scherzer (13-1) was seeking to become the first pitcher in major-league history to have a 14-0 record at the All-Star break. He was also attempting to become the first pitcher since Boston's Roger Clemens in 1986 to reach 14-0. Scherzer gave up four runs and eight hits and struck out six in six innings
Derek Holland (8-4) held the Tigers to one run in seven innings despite allowing six hits and a season-high five walks to help the Rangers end a three-game losing streak.
Along with Moreland's 13th homer and Beltre's 21st homer, Nelson Cruz had four hits and A.J. Pierzynski drove in two runs to lead the Rangers' attack. Ian Kinsler set a Texas franchise record with his 162nd career steal in the ninth.
The Tigers' Victor Martinez went 0-for-4 and had his 14-game hitting streak snapped. He left five runners stranded in the first three innings.
The Rangers took a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Nelson Cruz led off the inning with a double down the third-base line. He advanced on Beltre's groundout and scored on Pierzynski's sacrifice fly. After Elvis Andrus walked on a 3-2 pitch, Moreland drilled the next Scherzer offering into the Rangers' bullpen beyond the left-center field fence.
Hernan Perez's first career RBI, a two-out single to knock in Jhonny Peralta, made it 3-1 in the bottom of the inning.
Pierzynski got that run back with a bloop double in the fifth to drive in Leonys Martin.
NOTES: Detroit's Jim Leyland, who will manage the American League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, plans to leave his starters on the field for a majority of the game, provided it doesn't go extra innings. "I'm not taking my starters out after three innings," he said. "I'm going to play them as I see fit. I would think the starters would play a minimum of five innings." ... Martin was promoted to the No. 2 spot in the order, the first time he has batted higher than seventh in 78 career starts. "Just trying something," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "We're hoping he can help spark us." ... Texas RHP Colby Lewis, who has not appeared in a major-league game since July 18, 2012, threw 46 pitches during a batting practice session on Saturday at Comerica Park. Lewis, who underwent right flexor tendon surgery last summer, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco on Wednesday. ... Detroit's Miguel Cabrera is hitting .390 with runners in scoring position since the start of the 2011 season.
