Rangers 3, Tigers 0: And the bats slumbered

Michael Fulmer’s issues came early rather than late in this one, but it mattered little as the Tigers’ lumber slumbered, falling 0-3 to the Rangers.

All in all, it was a strong outing for Fulmer, but a couple of early runs were the difference. He allowed a solo shot to Jurickson Profar in the first, and then a pair of runs came across in the second inning. Fulmer walked Joey Gallo to leadoff the frame, and back-to-back singles plated the second Rangers run. Shin Soo-Choo then bounced a routine grounder to John Hicks right at first base, and he just whiffed on it, allowing another run.

Fulmer would only allow two more hits the rest of the way, but the damage was done. Ultimately he went seven innings, allowing three runs, two earned, with three walks and six strikeouts.

Meanwhile Rangers starter, Austin Bibens-Dirkx, had his way with the Tigers’ offense. With Nicholas Castellanos out with a sore wrist, there wasn’t a lot to threaten the Rangers’ pitchers. JaCoby Jones struck out three times from the leadoff spot, and was erased trying to steal second after his lone single on the day. The single was one of only four singles the Tigers’ managed, their only hits of the day.

The Tigers went to Buck Farmer for an out in the eighth, and then Daniel Stumpf and Victor Alcantara took it the rest of the way. The Tigers couldn’t muster any sort of a threat, and succumbed to closer Keone Kela in the ninth. The loss split the series 2-2, and the Tigers will now head south to Tampa Bay for a three-game set at Tropicana Field starting on Monday.