ARLINGTON, Texas – Veteran lefty Dallas Keuchel, pitching for his third team this season, has certainly had his moments against Detroit teams over the years. But not too many lately. Maybe the Tigers weren’t exactly licking their chops in anticipation of Keuchel’s debut start with the Rangers Saturday — but they weren’t stressing it, either.
Over the last two years, including his debut start with the Diamondbacks back in June, the Tigers had pounded out 19 runs in 25 innings against Keuchel — who once upon a time in Houston won a Cy Young Award pitching for Tigers’ manager AJ Hinch.
It did not go any better for him on this night.
Within the first 12 batters of the game, the Tigers scored four runs on six hits and went on to put up seven on Keuchel and beat the Rangers 11-2, evening the series at Globe Life Field.
To update the numbers: Since the beginning of last season, the Tigers have scored 26 runs in 30 1/3 innings against Keuchel.
Victor Reyes, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games, doubled twice, scored twice and knocked in one run against Keuchel. Javier Baez had a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs. Harold Castro had a pair of hits, Willi Castro singled in a run.
But the loudest of the 11 hits Keuchel surrendered in 5 1/3 innings was a 418-foot, two-run homer into the Tigers’ bullpen in left-center by Jeimer Candelario. Candelario now shares the team lead in homers with Baez — 11.
Candelario also doubled and scored in eighth inning.
Eric Haase knocked in three runs, blasting a 428-foot, two-run homer off reliever Josh Sborz in the ninth. Has has nine home runs on the season.
The Tigers have accumulated 22 runs in the last three games, scoring six or more in three straight games for the first time this season.
Eduardo Rodriguez made his second strong start since coming off the restricted list. He allowed a run in six innings and he got some significant help from the double-play ball.
He walked the first two batters he faced to start the game and after 12 pitches was down 1-0 and the Rangers had runners on the corners. But he was out of the mess in four pitches. He struck out Adolis Garcia on three pitches and turned a liner back at him from Jonah Heim into a 1-3 double-play.
With one on and one out in the third, he fell behind hot-hitting Nathaniel Lowe 3-0. Lowe, hitting .360 since the All-Star break, pounced on the 3-0 fastball. The ball left his bat with an exit velocity of 104.6 mph.
But he hit it right at Baez, who playing up the middle — 6-5-3 double-play.
Lowe and Garcia singled to start the sixth inning and again Rodriguez was in the soup. The hit by Garcia extended his American League-best hitting streak to 23 games.
Again, Rodriguez wriggled out of it. With one out, Leody Traveras hit a bullet, 104.2 mph, right at second baseman Zack Short. He stepped on second to complete yet another double-play.
Rather be lucky than good? Or you have to be good to be lucky? Take your pick.
