ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers right-handed starter Scott Feldman was at 68 pitches entering the sixth inning and was looking good in a close game. He got the first two batters he faced in the inning before throwing a fastball inside that jammed Andy Dirks.

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Normally, that would be enough to end the inning. But Dirks hit it in the right spot just past the mound. Feldman attemped to dive for it, but didn't really have a chance.

"I was trying everything I had to get to it," Feldman said. "I probably dove for a ball I had no business diving for. I was trying to keep him off base and prevent those next two guys from coming up."

Dirks ended up at first base and the Tigers quickly turned the play into a scoring opportunity. Miguel Cabrera hit a 2-2 sinker to right field for a single that allowed Prince Fielder to come up with two on and two out. Fielder was 0-for-5 against Feldman in his career, including 0-for-2 before the plate appearance.

"I was mainly focusing on trying to execute my pitches," Feldman said. "With Prince in that big situation, I just didn't execute the pitch. I think it was the right pitch to throw, I just didn't throw it where I wanted to."

Feldman's changeup wasn't where he had hoped and Fielder hit it 382 feet out -- and it went out quickly -- to right field to turn a 2-1 game into a 4-2 Tigers lead. Detroit added another run off Robbie Ross in the inning and eventually got the 6-2 win.

"We had a lead there and I was trying everything I could to protect the lead," Feldman said. "I made a mistake to Fielder and he did some damage with it. One at-bat and you give up three runs. It can happen pretty quick.

"For the most part, I threw the ball pretty well. No pitcher wants to come out of the game. I hate to see those guys having to work out of the bullpen in the sixth inning. I want to get deeper into the game."

It was Feldman's first loss since June 14. He started the season 0-6 and then was 6-0 in his last six decisions prior to getting the loss Friday.