Doug Fister News

David Murphy stroked a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth and the Texas Rangers won a slugfest, 11-8, over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday in the finale of a four-game set.

There were all kinds of things about the four-game series with the Detroit Tigers - the best offense in baseball - that should stand out for the Texas Rangers after the Rangers took three of the four games in Arlington.

Miguel Cabrera never had a night like this last season when he won baseball's first Triple Crown in 45 years.

After reviewing the first quarter performance of the offense, we found that while some players are over-performing and others under-performing, on balance the Tigers are scoring a lot of runs and should continue the pace.

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera slaps the hand of third-base coach Tom Brookens on the way to the plate, after hitting a three-run homer during the third inning.

Doug Fister delivers a pitch April 21 in the final game of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.

"I thought Porcello was as good as I've ever seen him," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

With the one-quarter mark of the 2013 season approaching, the Detroit Tigers have reinforced the fans' offseason hype that they are a strong World Series contender.

And fittingly, the opener features two of the premier pitchers - Tigers ace Justin Verlander , who has led the American League in strikeouts three of the past four seasons, against Rangers ace Yu Darvish , who leads all major league pitchers in strikeouts this season and is among the leaders in victories.

Andy Dirks follows through on an RBI double to right field Tuesday night in a 6-2 win over the Houston Astros.

Welcome to the RETURN of our two-minute drill, which will give you a snapshot of what's going on with the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, Spartans and Wolverines each day.

MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH For a man who quotes himself in his locker room and spent his team's first road game this season doing pregame pushups along the dirt warning track at Seattle's Safeco Field , learning how to live as a member of the 2013 Houston Astros has become the biggest challenge of Bo Porter's career.

What's the he best prescription for a losing streak? A series against the woeful Houston Astros.

A 102-year-old woman who was married for 83 years to a man she met in a rural Michigan church has... May 13, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Andy Dirks watches as the ball he hit goes over the right field wall for a grand slam home run fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park.

Last Week: 1-4 This Week: HOU ; at Tex So, What Happened? The Tigers ran into two teams playing their best baseball of the year last week.

Justin Verlander and Yu Darvish will square off Thursday night in the series opener between the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers.

Detroit Tigers' Brayan Pena goes to the mound to talk to Rick Porcello in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians on May 12, 2013.

Robbie Ross, Tanner Scheppers and Joe Nathan combined to retire 10 straight hitters in the Rangers' 4-2 victory over the Astros on Friday night.

Jim Leyland probably has it right. He says Andy Dirks' tough April all was a product of that badly bruised knee Dirks endured after crashing into a fence during the Grapefruit League season.

Doug Fister took his first loss of the year on Thursday, but it wasn't his only first.