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Score and situation: Home, sweet Michigan. The Detroit Tigers got a much-needed power surge from their sluggers, along with another fine outing by right-hander Doug Fister (tipping his cap) in beating the Texas Rangers 5-2 to get on the board in the ALCS. Texas leads the series 2-1.
Leading lads: Victor Martinez sort of pulled a mini-Kirk Gibson when he apparently strained an oblique muscle hitting a tying home run in the fourth. The reaction from the dugout was surreal. His blast also might have inspired Miguel Cabrera to rejoin the postseason. After coming in 2 for 16 over his past five games, Cabrera went 2 for 4 with a solo homer and an RBI double. Fister wasn't overpowering, just effective as usual, allowing two runs and seven singles over 7 1/3 innings. The Rangers scored a run in the first and threatened more, but Michael Young grounded into a double play and Adrian Belte struck out. Texas didn't score, or even threaten again, until the eighth.
Head hangers: Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis gave a "meh" performance, but reliever Koji Uehara had a rare clunker out of the bullpen. He allowed an inherited runner to score in the sixth and then Cabrera's long ball in the seventh, giving Detroit much-appreciated breathing room. Also: Ron Washington's decision to pitch to Cabrera in the fifth with a gimpy Martinez on deck and two was ... iffy.
Key play: Martinez's homer, a no-doubter to right, certainly energized Comerica Park, if not the Tigers themselves. Watch it.
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What they'll be talking about: How hurt is Martinez? He continued playing after his home run, and he's been banged up — like with his sore toe — for as long as anyone can remember. And he's going to do everything he can to stay in the lineup, especially the Tigers already missing Delmon Young and Magglio Ordoñez. But a body can stand only so much.
What's next: The Tigers try to even the series in Game 4 on Wednesday afternoon, with Rick Porcello facing lefty Matt Harrison. On the horizon for Thursday, a re-match of Game 1 featuring C.J. Wilson against Justin Verlander. Thunderstorms might be in the forecast. Really.
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