Zach McKinstry hit a home run and a triple to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
The Tigers (31-30) have taken the first two from the defending World Series champs and will go for a sweep of the Rangers (29-32) on Wednesday.
McKinstry hit a two-run homer to right field off Rangers starter Dane Dunning in the second inning, scoring Colt Keith, who reached base on a single.
Tigers starter Jack Flaherty left after five scoreless innings and just 60 pitches. He told reporters that he was experiencing back tightness but expected to make his next start.
Tigers reliever Shelby Miller, activated from the injured list on Tuesday, retired all four batters he faced, including three on strikeouts.
The Rangers scored their only run of the game against Tigers reliever Tyler Holton in the ninth. Jason Foley entered with two outs and got Wyatt Langford to ground out softly to end the game.
