Urshela puts Detroit ahead in the 8th, Tigers hold on for 4

DETROIT (AP) — Gio Urshela had an RBI single and Matt Vierling scored on a wild pitch in the eighth inning to put Detroit ahead, and the Tigers’ pitchers continued their solid play to beat the Texas Rangers 4-2 on Tuesday.

Andrew Chafin (1-0) worked 1 1/3 hitless innings with three strikeouts. Jason Foley retired pinch-hitter Adolis Garcia with two on in the ninth for his fifth save of the season.

Detroit’s bullpen improved to 8-2 on the season with a 1.69 ERA.

“I do like that we are going to play our 27 outs,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “And I do not mean that as a cliche, but as a competitiveness that we are never out of it, because this pitching staff is going to keep us close.”

Casey Mize, making his first home start since April 9, 2022, went six innings, allowing two runs and five hits. Mize missed most of the 2022 season and all of the 2023 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery and a back operation.