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ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers have a leadoff hitter. Ian Kinsler.

They also have a pretty good backup. Elvis Andrus.

Subbing in the leadoff spot with Kinsler nursing bruised ribs, Andrus had a breakout night Saturday, going 5-for-5 and coming within a home run of hitting for the cycle.

Andrus scored three runs and stole two bases as the aggressive Rangers blitzed red-hot Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers 7-2 on Saturday night.

Andrus used the entire ballpark to get his five hits, his career high.

"He's a tremendous hitter when he does that," manager Ron Washington said of Andrus' using the big part of Rangers Ballpark. "We needed that."

Andrus opened the bottom of the first with a single to left. He stole second and went to third on an error by Tigers catcher Alex Avila. He scored on a passed ball.

Andrus had a triple to right-center field in the second inning that scored Leonys Martin and ignited a three-run rally for a 4-0 lead.

Andrus had another RBI single to center field in the bottom of the third for a 6-0 lead. He led the way with three hits in the first three innings.

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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Call it Justin Grimm's revenge on the Detroit Tigers.

With a personal three-game losing streak entering a rematch with Detroit, Grimm joked with Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux before Saturday's game that he was going to get back at the Tigers for what they did to him last June in his second major league start. Riding the high of a brilliant debut against the Houston Astros, the Tigers pounded Grimm for six runs in an inning.

In Round 2 of Grimm versus the Tigers, it was the Rangers who won 7-2 before a sellout crowd. Grimm led the way, giving up two runs in 6⅔ innings as the rookie right-hander was able to battle through innings in which he allowed baserunners.

How sweet revenge is.

"It wasn't necessarily remembering what happened last year," Grimm said. "Outings like that, you're young. Mistakes happen. These hitters are going to capitalize on those mistakes."

Grimm fought himself in the second and third innings. He had a leadoff walk in the second to Victor Martinez, which is almost always a recipe for giving up runs. But after a one-out single by Jhonny Peralta put two runners on, Grimm was able to get Omar Infante to ground into a double play.

The third inning featured a second run-in with the heart of the Tigers' batting order with the Rangers leading 4-0. Another leadoff baserunner, this time after a single by Avisail Garcia, led to Detroit's first run on a double by Torii Hunter. That forced Grimm to deal with Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder with a runner in scoring position.

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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Justin Grimm had a bounce-back start and Elvis Andrus was 5-for-5 with three runs scored as the Texas Rangers made it two out of three wins over the Detroit Tigers with a 7-2 victory on Saturday night.

Grimm gets it done: Grimm gave up six runs in an inning in a start against the powerful Tigers last June in his second big league start. He was much better at damage control Saturday night against Detroit. Grimm gave up seven hits and had only one perfect inning, but he got big outs when he needed them as the Tigers were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Grimm ended a personal three-game losing streak after a strong April start in which he was the American League rookie of the month.

Moreland gets to 10: Mitch Moreland reached double figures in home runs almost a month earlier than he did last season with a solo shot to right field to lead off the third inning to give the Rangers a 5-2 lead. Moreland hit his 10th home run on June 15 last season in a game against Houston.

Andrus gets five hits: Andrus became the second Ranger this season to collect five hits in a game. Andrus fell a home run short of the cycle. He had singles in the first and third and eighth innings, a triple in the second and a double in the sixth. He scored three runs and stole two bases. It was a dominant effort from the leadoff spot, in which Andrus was batting in place of the injured Ian Kinsler. It was Andrus' first game with four or more hits since last August.

Tigers miscues help: The Tigers couldn't catch the ball in the second inning. First, Andrus hit a triple off the glove of the running Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter for a triple. David Murphy then hit a tapper in front of the plate that Detroit pitcher Anibal Sanchez threw into right field for an error to make it 3-0 Rangers. Lance Berkman later had an RBI single for a 4-0 lead.

Martin on the run: Andrus wasn't the only Ranger on the run Saturday night. Leonys Martin stole another base, his fourth in four games. Martin is 4-for-6 on stolen-base attempts for the season. He was 1-for-2 with a run scored and also executed a sacrifice bunt.

Up next: The Rangers go for the series win Sunday afternoon as left-hander Derek Holland (3-2, 2.93 ERA) against right-hander Doug Fister (5-1, 3.06 ERA) at 1:05 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and 1540-AM.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The message to injured starting pitcher Alexi Ogando from Rangers manager Ron Washington? Talk to me.

Ogando, who went on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with biceps tendinits, first told Washington about the issue after his start in Oakland. Ogando said Friday that's he been having issues with soreness off and on this season.

Ogando, who is switching back to the rotation from the bullpen, is gaining experince, Washington said, and learning that only pitching an inning in a given day is different than starting every five days.

"Taking this workload of a starter, anything that's not right, we need to know about it," Washington said. "This is a different world. He has to try to go through a lineup three or four times, not just once. It's something that you put to experience. Now he has it, you hope that doesn't happen again."

Burns has a chance: Washington likes what's seen from right-hander Cory Burns, including Friday's ninth inning effort of getting out Detroit's Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera.

Even with the Rangers need for another right-hander in the bullpen, and Josh Lindblom slated to start Monday for Ogando, Washington's not ready to commit to Burns staying around past Sunday.

"I like what he did," Washington said. "But to make a decision on yes or no, we're not ready to do that."

Martin's arm impresses: Leonys Martin impressed again Friday night, throwing out Tigers leadoff man Andy Dirks with a laser shot to Geovany Soto on the fly in the top of the third. It was the Rangers' fourth outfield assist this season and Martin has two of them.

Washington said earlier in the week that Martin has the strongest arm on the team. Throws like Friday's against a speedy runner could make opponents hesitant to run on him. He also gunned down Milwaukee's speedy shortstop Jean Segura earlier this month.

"If he's coming straight in on a ball, you might thing about not chancing it," Washington said. "If he has to go left or right and get something and then make a throw, that's when you could ahead and take a chance. That ball right there he came straight in."

Kinsler out again: Second baseman Ian Kinsler was out of the lineup for the second straight day to give him more time to heal bruised ribs. Kinsler, who came in to pinch run in Friday's game, was available in that capacity again Saturday.

Pierzynski starts rehab Sunday: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, nearing the end of his disabled list stint, will begin his two-day rehab assignment on Sunday. Pierzynski, coming back from a strained right oblique muscle, can come off the DL on Tuesday against Oakland.

Lewis set to go Monday: Colby Lewis threw long toss Saturday and reported no problems and is set to start Monday for Double-A Frisco. Pierzynski will catch him. It's an early start, 11 a.m., at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

Minor notes: Left-hander Neal Cotts has struck out 40 of the 79 batters he's faced this season for Triple-A Round Rock. Left-handed hitters are 0-for-27 against him with 21 strikeouts ... Round Rock shortstop Jurickson Profar had a seven-game hitting streak entering Saturday with a .379 batting average during that span.

Here is the Rangers' lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers:

Ian Kinsler is out of the lineup for the second straight day, still sore and day-to-day with bruised ribs. He is available to pinch run, which he did last night. Robinson Chirinos gets the start at catcher.

RANGERS
SS Elvis Andrus
LF David Murphy
DH Lance Berkman
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
1B Mitch Moreland
C Robinson Chirinos
CF Leonys Martin
2B Leury Garcia
P Justin Grimm

TIGERS
LF Andy Dirks
RF Torii Hunter
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Prince Fielder
DH Victor Martinez
C Alex Avila
SS Jhonny Peralta
2B Omar Infante
CF Avisail Garcia
P Anibal Sanchez

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers and Detroit play the third game of a four-game series Saturday with right-hander Justin Grimm facing Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez. First pitch is 7:05 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1540-AM.

Grimm (2-3, 4.28 ERA): Grimm tries to turn around a three-game losing streak. ... He has allowed 10 runs in his past 10 innings. ... He has struggled to keep the ball down in the strike zone, allowing seven hits and five runs in a start Monday in Oakland. He allowed consecutive home runs to Yoenis Cespedes and Brandon Moss in the third inning to fall behind 4-0. ... It's been a tough turnaround for Grimm, who is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA for three May starts, that after being named American League rookie of the month for April, having gone 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. ... He has pitched well at home with a 1-1 record and 2.84 ERA for three starts in Arlington. ... He will face the Tigers for the second time. The first one didn't go well, as he allowed seven hits to the first nine batters he faced and Detroit scored five runs in the first inning.

Sanchez (4-3, 2.05): Sanchez is off to a great start. He's fourth in the AL with 66 strikeouts and fifth with his 2.05 ERA. He has allowed three runs or fewer in all eight of his starts. ... He dominated Houston in his last start, allowing two runs in seven innings in a 7-2 victory over the Astros. Sanchez had eight strikeouts. ... But that's not the real story for him as far as strikeouts go. Sanchez had a major league-best 17 strikeouts against Atlanta in a 10-0 victory over the Braves on April 26. It broke a team record that had stood since 1969 when Mickey Lolich struck out 16 twice less than three weeks apart. ... Sanchez is 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA for two career starts against the Rangers.

Hitters: Geovany Soto (5-for-10, RBI) and Lance Berkman (5-for-13) had success against Sanchez when he pitched in the National League. Miguel Cabrera was 2-for-2 with two RBIs when the Tigers crushed Grimm for six runs in one inning-plus last June in Arlington.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers reliever Cory Burns paid Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera the ultimate compliment Friday night, comparing him to an all-time great.

That after Burns struck out Cabrera with a devastating changeup.

Burns doesn't appear to need a confidence boost as he tries to stay in the bullpen after being called up Thursday. But he knew what it meant to get the best of the Tigers' Triple Crown man in Friday's 2-1 loss to Detroit.

"Miguel is one of the best hitters in my opinion ever," Burns said. "It's still pitching. You still have to go out and make your pitches whether you're facing Miguel Cabrera or Babe Ruth or whoever."

Burns said he didn't do anything special to get Cabrera out with a runner at first in the top of the ninth and the Rangers trailing by a run. Burns threw Cabrera a two-seam fastball that he fouled off and a changeup that the Tigers third baseman missed.

Burns went back to the changeup to strike out Cabrera, right after he had retired the always dangerous Torii Hunter.

"I didn't really even set him up," Burns said. "I just kind of went with my best stuff right there. I threw it with some conviction, and it worked out.

"My changeup is my pitch. I'm getting better with my other pitches. They're coming along really well. And that makes my changeup that much better."

In two outings -- Burns had a perfect inning in Thursday's 10-4 victory -- the 25-year-old from Phoenix has retired all five batters he's faced and impressed his teammates. Burns is supposed to go back to Triple-A Round Rock when Josh Lindblom is called up from the Express to start in Alexi Ogando's spot. Burns is trying to persuade the Rangers to keep him.

"He had a really good changeup," Texas catcher Geovany Soto said. "He has a good delivery. And he's coming in and he's being aggressive."

Burns knows what's at stake. Manager Ron Washington said earlier in the week that there's a need for another right-handed arm out of the bullpen. Burns, who pitched in 17 games last season for the San Diego Padres and had a 5.50 ERA, knows the chance is there to win a big league job.

"Some guys get one opportunity," Burns said. "I'm fortunate enough that the Rangers have given me another opportunity here, and I'm going to do everything I can and bust my tail to try and earn a spot and stay."

Other Rangers notes for Saturday morning:

Grimm tries to end skid: Right-handed starter Justin Grimm has allowed 10 runs in his past 10 innings. He will try to turn things around against the Tigers' formidable lineup Saturday. Washington said Friday that Grimm has to work on keeping his pitches down in the strike zone. He allowed two home runs in his previous start, against Oakland, to fall behind 4-0 in the third inning.

Rangers in the clutch: The Rangers still haven't solved their riddle of hitting with runners in scoring position. They were 0-for-8 in Friday's 2-1 loss to continue a bad trend. The Rangers are batting .219 for the past 13 games with runners in scoring position.

Ross rolling: Left-handed reliever Robbie Ross pitched two scoreless innings Friday to extend his scoreless innings streak to 14, the second-longest of his career. He lowered his ERA to 0.48. Ross has walked a batter in three of his past four appearances.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nick Tepesch received baptism by Miguel Cabrera on Friday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

It will provide a nice learning experience from the rookie right-hander's eighth start. Triple Crown winners are especially tough to get out.

Tepesch faced Cabrera three times in Friday's 2-1 loss to Detroit and lost to the Tigers third baseman every time. Tepesch allowed Cabrera two singles and a fifth-inning RBI double that gave the Tigers their first run.

"He's a tough hitter," Tepesch said. "That's a really good lineup."

Tepesch didn't have a clean inning. Cabrera was in the middle in three of them. It's not surprising.

Cabrera had a two-out single in the top of the first. Tepesch, a ground ball pitcher, kept the game at 0-all. He picked up his third ground ball to second baseman Leury Garcia in the inning.

Tepesch allowed another single to Cabrera with one out in the third inning but was able to work around an error, getting Victor Martinez to ground out. Tepesch's pitch count was still going up despite holding the Tigers scoreless.

"I didn't really get a quick inning," Tepesch said. "I put too many guys on base."

Cabrera finally came up with a runner on second in the fifth and delivered an RBI double off the left-field fence. Tepesch said he didn't make the pitch he wanted to against Cabrera.

"It was a curveball right down the middle," Tepesch said. "It wasn't a very good pitch."

The bad news is the Tigers scored another run in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Alex Avila for a 2-0 lead. That meant Geovany Soto's home run to start the bottom of the fifth wasn't enough to tie the game.

Tepesch and four relievers who combined on four hitless innings didn't get much help from the Rangers' offense. They were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Elvis Andrus couldn't deliver with a runner at third and one out in the third inning.

Manager Ron Washington decided it was too early for Andrus, a great bunter, to put down a squeeze play.

"I felt like Elvis would get a ball to the outfield," Washington said. "He didn't."

Nelson Cruz twice had a chance to get the Rangers a pivotal run. He grounded into a double play with runners at first and second and no outs in the fourth inning.

The Rangers had runners at first and third and one out in the eighth inning. Another chance to score a runner from third base with one out. Cruz bounced into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Detroit scored two runs in the top of the fifth and made them stand up, beating the Rangers 2-1 on Friday night in a low-scoring game that came after a failed pitching duel between Yu Darvish and Justin Verlander on Thursday night.

The Rangers and Tigers have split the first two games of the series heading into Saturday and Sunday.

No solving Porcello: Rick Porcello went into Friday night's start with a 6.68 ERA. It took the Rangers five innings to score against him. Porcello, who doesn't walk many, had only one base on balls, and the Rangers managed only five hits off of him, including catcher Geovany Soto's solo home run to lead off the fifth inning.

Soto goes back-to-back: Soto hit a home run for the second straight game. He hit a 2-2 sinker from Porcello into the left-field seats to cut the lead to 2-1. Soto hit only the second home run of the season off Verlander on Thursday, a three-run shot to knock the All-Star right-hander out of the game.

Cruz can't come through: Nelson Cruz hit into two double plays, the second one a rally-killer with runners at first and third and one out and the Rangers trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth. Cruz hit a ground ball to second base that Ramon Santiago and Jhonny Peralta were able to turn to keep their team in the lead. Cruz also bounced into a double play with two on and no out in the fourth inning with the game still scoreless.

Tepesch gets only five: Nick Tepesch had an uneven start. He allowed only two runs, both in the top of the fifth. But it took him 97 pitches to get through five innings. Tepesch had three walks, only the third time in eight starts he's walked three or more batters. He did have to face down the top of the Tigers' lineup in the fifth inning and was hurt by an RBI double by Miguel Cabrera. Alex Avila added a sacrifice fly that ended up being the difference in the game.

Wasted chance in the third: Leonys Martin had a one-out triple in the third inning, and the Rangers, who had only five sacrifice flies in 41 games going into Friday's game, got a lineout to first base by Elvis Andrus and a strikeout looking by Leury Garcia as they continued to struggle in situations with a runner at third and fewer than two outs.

Bullpen goes to work: The Rangers' bullpen, which got a break with Darvish's 130-pitch outing on Thursday, kept the offense within striking distance with four hitless innings. Joseph Ortiz had a perfect inning and Robbie Ross went 1⅔ innings, with one strikeout and allowing no hits. Jason Frasor also got an out, and newcomer Cory Burns retired both Tigers he faced.

Up next: The Rangers send right-hander Justin Grimm (2-3, 4.28 ERA) to the mound against Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez (4-3, 2.05) at 7:05 p.m. CT Saturday on FSSW and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1540-AM.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Alexi Ogando, placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of biceps tendinitis, had an MRI exam done that showed no structural issues.

Ogando said he first felt the soreness in his start Wednesday at Oakland, when he came out after six innings. He had taken a no-hitter into the sixth.

"Why push something?" Ogando said through an interpreter. "Better to do something precautionary. I don't want it to get worse. I want it to get better."

Ogando said the issue has nothing to do with his conversion from the bullpen back to the rotation. He has pitched 49 2/3 innings this season after going 66 innings last season.

"It's the same deal," Ogando said of starting. "It's not a big difference at all."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Colby Lewis reported no soreness after throwing a bullpen session Friday for the first time since getting an anti-inflammatory shot for triceps tendinitis. He threw around 35 pitches Friday.

PODCAST
Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM. Listen

Lewis will start Monday for Double-A Frisco and expects to make at least two more starts on his rehab assignment before he'll know if he's ready to be activated. That could put him on track to return in Boston on June 4.

"I assume I will stay on track," Lewis said. "They haven't told me otherwise."

Lewis said Friday that the tendinitis he's been dealing with is similar to what he went through around the All-Star break in 2010 when he received treatment and didn't miss a start. Lewis went on to star in the postseason with a 3-0 record as the Rangers made the franchise's first World Series appearance.

"I'm hoping it's the same situation where I only had it for a little bit and I didn't have to miss another start," Lewis said.

Other notes:

Burns looks good: Manager Ron Washington said new reliever Cory Burns did fine in his first appearance with the Rangers on Thursday night, pitching an inning in the 10-4 victory.

"He gutted it out," said Washington of Burns' one inning in which he walked one and didn't allow a run.

He wouldn't say if Burns pitching well in this stint with the Rangers could keep on the club with a need for right-handed help in the bullpen. Washington does like that Burns, who relies on his changeup, can pitch multiple innings.

"I don't know," Washington said. "We'll have to see how things go. He's a multiple-inning guy. There's not a lot of stress in his arm."

Martin running strong: Leonys Martin had his first multi-steal game of his career Friday night. He joined shortstop Elvis Andrus as the only Rangers this season who have done so.

Feliz progresses: Reliever Neftali Feliz is throwing from 120 feet as he moves closer to being able to throw from a mound for the first time since having Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.

Ian Kinsler has been scratched from Friday's lineup because of bruised ribs. Leury Garcia will play second base in his place and bat second against the Tigers. Elvis Andrus is leading off for the Rangers. The lineups:

RANGERS
SS Elvis Andrus
2B Leury Garcia
DH Lance Berkman
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
1B Mitch Moreland
C Geovany Soto
LF David Murphy
CF Leonys Martin

TIGERS
LF Andy Dirks
RF Torii Hunter
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Prince Fielder
DH Victor Martinez
C Alex Avila
SS Jhonny Peralta
CF Don Kelly
2B Ramon Santiago

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Detroit Tigers with bruised ribs.

PODCAST
Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM. Listen

Kinsler was hit by a pitch in the third inning of Thursday's 10-4 victory over the Tigers by an 81-mph curveball by Justin Verlander in same area where he took a blow to the ribs on a stolen base over the weekend at Houston.

Kinsler hopes to play Saturday, but wasn't certain when he would return when asked about it before the game.

"I have no idea," Kinsler said. "We'll see. That's the goal."

Kinsler tied the Rangers' club record with 54 career hit by pitches, evening things with Rafael Palmeiro. He has been hit five times this season, tying him for second in the American League.

Also on Friday, Kinsler laughed off his dismal slide into third base Thursday, in which he dove head first well before the bag and hit the side of his face -- mainly his left ear -- in a classic faceplant.

Kinsler said he's fine from that blow, mostly.

"I came out of the slide perfectly fine," Kinsler said. "Except for a bruised ego."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- It's Friday and that means our weekly stock report. Let's take a look at who's trending up and who's trending down for Texas:

STOCK UP

The Rangers: At 27-14, the Rangers have their best record through 41 games. Their previous best had been 26-15 in 1996. The Rangers have been in solo possession of first place for 25 consecutive days. They are the first team to have a seven-game division lead at this point in the season since Boston in 2007.

Mitch Moreland: Mitch Moreland hit two more doubles to drive in runs in Thursday's 10-4 victory, including what turned out to be the game-winning runs, and continues to be the Rangers' hottest hitter. Since April 22, Moreland has 33 hits in 91 at-bats with six home runs, 10 doubles, a triple, 15 RBIs and 13 runs. It's one of the best Rangers streaks in recent memory.

Yu Darvish: He's won five straight decisions, the longest single-season win streak of his career. He is one win shy of matching his overall best streak of six wins in a row from Aug. 28, 2012 to April 7, 2013. He has won seven straight games at Rangers Ballpark.

STOCK DOWN

Joe Nathan: It's hard to say a closer who has saved all 12 of his opportunities is down, but Nathan has flirted with his trouble in his last two outings. He's allowed a run in each of his last two games. He loaded the bases in Oakland, putting the winning run on second base, before getting a strikeout and a fly out. Nathan's velocity is down, but more regular work could solve that.

Derek Lowe: His last two appearances haven't gone well. He allowed four runs in the eighth inning in Houston to turn a 12-1 game into a 12-5 game. The Rangers eventually won 12-7. Lowe has allowed nine hits and nine runs in his last 4 2/3 innings.

Justin Grimm: The Rangers will be looking for a better result from Grimm when he starts Saturday against Detroit. He's allowed 10 earned runs in his last 10 innings, giving up three home runs as his ERA has risen to 4.28.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers and Detroit Tigers face off in the second game of a four-game series with right-hander Nick Tepesch opposing right-hander Rick Porcello at 7:05 p.m. Friday night on FSSW and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM.

Tepesch (3-3, 4,03 ERA): Tepesch ended a two-game losing streak in Houston on Sunday, striking out a career-high eight while allowing one run in a 12-7 victory over Houston. Tepesch received 12 runs of support after the Rangers scored just 13 runs for him in his first six starts. The Astros scored their only run off Tepesch on a home run by Jason Castro. Tepesch used his sinker to get seven ground-ball outs. He recorded six strikeouts on his four-seam fastball and two with a good slider. ... Tepesch's numbers are typical of a rookie about to make his eighth career start. He has a 1.25 ERA in his four wins and a 7.71 ERA in his losses. ... Tepesch has dominated right-handed batters, holding them to a .186 batting average, sixth best in the American League. ... He is second in the AL with a 2.32 ground-ball-to-fly-ball ratio. ... He'll face the Tigers for the first time.

Porcello (1-2, 6.68 ERA): Porcello's ERA is inflated because of one bad start in which he allowed nine earned runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Los Angeles Angels on April 20. ... He's allowed four earned runs or less in his other five starts, but has just the one win to show for it. ... Porcello has only made it through seven innings in one start. ... Walks aren't a problem for him -- he only has seven in 32 1/3 innings -- but Porcello has allowed five home runs. ... He had a quality start in his previous outing Sunday, allowing two earned in six innings in a 4-3 loss to Cleveland in which closer Jose Valverde blew a save in the bottom of the ninth. ... Porcello throws mainly fastballs and gets hitters to chase his changeup. ... Porcello is 2-3 with a 7.83 ERA over the last three seasons against the Rangers. He is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington during that time.

Hitters: Tepesch has never faced the Tigers. Ian Kinsler (6-for-10, 4 RBIs) and David Murphy (5-for-10, HR, 2 RBIs) have done the most damage against Porcello. Geovany Soto, who hit his first home run Thursday, is 3-for-5 with a home run against the Tigers right-hander.