Arlington, TX – Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer and an RBI single on Sunday, helping the Rangers down the Tigers, 8-3, in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Hamilton belted his major league-leading 32nd homer of the season in the first inning and singled home Elvis Andrus during a three-run third.
Ian Kinsler had an RBI double during the frame and later added a sacrifice fly for the Rangers, who have won eight of 11 games and improved to 13-3-2 in their last 17 series.
Yu Darvish (12-8) allowed three runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out eight, walked five and tied the Rangers rookie record for wins.
"He pounded the strike zone, threw the ball over the plate and threw the pitches he wanted to throw," Rangers manager Ron Washington said about Darvish.
Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Tigers, losers in four of their last five games.
Rick Porcello (9-7) had won five of his previous six decisions, but gave up six runs -- four earned -- on nine hits over six innings in the setback.
Mitch Moreland began the third with a single and scored on Kinsler's 32nd double of the year -- a shot off the wall in left-center field.
Kinsler moved to third on the play and scored on an error by Porcello, which allowed Andrus to reach base. Hamilton's RBI base hit followed, making it 5-0.
"The third inning was obviously the big inning. It kind of separated them a little bit," said Porcello.
An inning later, Kinsler's sac fly plated Geovany Soto, who singled and advanced to third on Moreland's double.
The Tigers battled back in the fifth, which began with an Alex Avila walk and Jhonny Peralta's single. Omar Infante then doubled home Avila and after a pair of strikeouts, Cabrera made it 6-3 with a two-bagger into the corner in left field.
Darvish was relieved after issuing consecutive two-out walks in the seventh and Robbie Ross popped out Prince Fielder to end the threat.
In the bottom half, Andrus crossed the plate on a throwing error by Avila and Hamilton scored on a wild pitch by Brayan Villarreal.
Game Notes
Darvish is now tied with Chris Young, Kevin Brown and Edwin Correa for the Rangers rookie record in wins...The Rangers improved to 9-1-1 in their last 11 home series...Texas won the season-series over Detroit, 7-3.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.