ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jurickson Profar hit a tiebreaking RBI triple, Nomar Mazara homered again and the Texas Rangers beat the Detroit Tigers 7-6 on Monday night after a strange game-deciding seventh inning.
Delino DeShields and Shin-Soo Choo both scored from first in the seventh. DeShields reached on a two-out error and then raced around the bases when Choo singled on a grounder that trickled off the outstretched glove of second baseman Dixon Machado into shallow right field. Profar followed with his big hit.
Detroit blew a 5-1 lead, and then jumped in front again with an unearned run in the top of the seventh after a replay review.
JaCoby Jones ran home from second when Jose Iglesias hit a fly ball to right with two out. Mazara was nearing the line when the ball hit off his glove and dropped into foul territory.
First base umpire Bill Miller ruled a foul ball, but manager Ron Gardenhire challenged the call and the replay showed Mazara was clearly in fair territory. Jones was awarded home to make it 6-5, and Iglesias took first on what became an error for Mazara.
The Rangers won a replay challenge in the eighth when rookie second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa was initially ruled off the bag on a double play. On replay, Kiner-Falefa’s toe appeared to barely drag across the top of the base when he caught a throw before making the relay to first. That ended the inning instead of Detroit having runners on second and third.
Jose LeClerc (1-0) pitched the seventh, and Keone Kela worked the ninth for his seventh save. Daniel Stumpf (1-2) was the loser.
Texas used four consecutive two-out hits in the sixth to tie the game at 5, including a two-run double by Kiner-Falefa right after Joey Gallo’s RBI single.
Mazara’s fifth homer in May, and eighth overall, led off the second.
FOR STARTERS
Both starting pitchers allowed five runs over 5 2/3 innings. Detroit’s Michael Fulmer struck out seven, walked three and allowed four hits. Rangers lefty Matt Moore permitted nine hits and walked two.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: 1B Miguel Cabrera jogged in the outfield for the first time since he strained his right hamstring Thursday and went on the 10-day disabled list. “He’s getting anxious,” Gardenhire said. Cabrera still has another week before he can come off the DL.
Rangers: Drew Robinson was in the original lineup to play second base, but was scratched and placed on the 10-day DL because of left hip soreness. … 3B Adrian Beltre, who missed his 12th game while on the DL with a left hamstring strain, took some swings and groundballs, and ran the bases. “He’s progressing nicely,” manager Jeff Banister said.
UP NEXT
Rangers lefty Mike Minor (3-1), a full-time reliever for Kansas City last season after missing two full seasons with shoulder issues, makes his first start for Texas on regular four days’ rest. Tigers starter Mike Fiers (2-2, 5.00 ERA) is 0-3 with an 8.90 ERA in his six previous appearances (five starts) against Texas.
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