Detroit — A bona-fide pitcher’s duel broke out at Comerica Park Thursday night.
Texas’ veteran left-hander Martin Perez and Tigers’ rookie righty Beau Brieske traded zeros for five-plus innings. Perez was keeping the Tigers off balance with a mix of changeups, sinkers and cutters. Brieske limited the Rangers to three singles, expertly locating sliders and changeups off mid-90s four-seam fastballs.
The rookie won the battle. But the Rangers won the war.
Tigers closer Gregory Soto gave up three runs in the top of the ninth inning and Texas took the first game of four at Comerica Park, 3-1, extending the Tigers' losing streak to five games.