Tigers Pitching Mauls Texas in Sweep

The red-hot Tigers are 14-6 after sweeping the sliding Rangers. Detroit's pitching, both starters and relievers, are overpowering and keep Texas from making much of a series charge.

Game One: Detroit 4, Texas 3
W: Morris (2-2)
L: Jenkins (0-4)
S: Hernandez (1)

Jack Morris survives some shakiness, giving up 14 hits in seven innings but leaving 13 Texas baserunners stranded, as the Rangers show a serious lack of clutch hitting. The game is tied 3-3 after five. The Detroit team strikes for two runs in the top of the fifth, as Texas's Fergie Jenkins walks two and allows two singles in another difficult outing. But Texas ties it in the bottom of that inning, sparked by a Buddy Bell triple and Ruben Sierra line single. However, the Tigers get a run back in the top of the sixth on a double play. The Tigers' Aurelio Lopez and Willie Hernandez do the rest, allowing no runs nor hits in the last three frames.

Game Two: Detroit 10, Texas 1
W: Petry (2-1)
L: Matlack (0-1)

The Tigers spank Texas from the get go in Game Two, with a five run fifth the big blow off Texas starter Jon Matlack. Lou Whitaker's two run single is a key part of a big inning to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead, and Larry Herndon goes three-for-four with two runs scored. Detroit's Dan Petry is brilliant, only allowing six singles in eight innings of work.

Game Three: Detroit 4, Texas 2
W: Wilcox (3-1)
L: Honeycutt (0-3)
S: Lopez (2)

It's Milt Wilcox's turn to shine for Detroit, only allowing five hits in 6.2 innings before giving way to the shutdown pitching of Aurelio Lopez the rest of the way (Lopez gives up no hits and Ks two in 2.1 innings). Detroit jumps out to a 3-0 lead off Texas's Rick Honeycutt, including a two run fifth highlighted by a clutch Chet Lemon single.