Tigers stay alive in ALCS, hold off Rangers 7-5

Posted: 10.13.2011 at 11:53 PM

      DETROIT - Justin Verlander helped save Detroit's season
with a gutsy effort and the Tigers hit for a sudden cycle to break
away from Texas in a 7-5 victory Thursday that cut the Rangers'
lead to 3-2 in the AL championship series.
      Miguel Cabrera had a tiebreaking double in the sixth inning -
thanks to a bizarre bounce off third base - and the Tigers held off
Texas despite Nelson Cruz's record fifth home run of the series.
      With closer Jose Valverde unavailable for Detroit, the Rangers
cut it to 7-5 in the ninth and had Cruz on deck when Phil Coke
retired Mike Napoli on a game-ending groundout with two runners on.
      The Rangers get another chance to reach the World Series for the
second straight season in Game 6 Saturday night at home.