In his Rangers debut on Monday night, Michael Lorenzen set the tone. He pitched five scoreless innings against the Tigers, and his bullpen helped him seal a 1-0 victory at Comerica Park.
Texas catcher Jonah Heim doubled to lead off the fifth inning and scored when second baseman Marcus Semien hit a fielder’s choice grounder to shortstop for the game’s only run.
Lorenzen allowed three hits (all singles) and five walks, but no one scored. He struck out four and delivered 46 of his 79 pitches for strikes. Lorenzen was an All-Star for Detroit last season, but he was dealt to the Phillies during the stretch run.
Lorenzen signed as a free agent with the Rangers on March 22, and had a 6.35 ERA over three starts at Triple-A Round Rock.
Jose Leclerc threw two scoreless innings and David Robertson threw a scoreless eighth before Kirby Yates got the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Michael Lorenzen shines in Rangers debut as Tigers fall
In his Texas Rangers debut, Michael Lorenzen pitched five scoreless innings to set the tone in a 1-0 victory over the host Detroit Tigers on Monday night. Lorenzen (1-0) allowed three hits and pitched around five walks against his former team. He represented the Tigers at the All-Star Game last season before he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 1. Lorenzen signed a one-year free-agent deal late in spring training and had been on the 15-day injured list due to a neck strain. He made three rehab appearances at Triple-A Round Rock before he was activated.
Jose LeClerc, the Rangers’ right-hander, pitched two innings and struck out two. David Robertson and Kirby Yates recorded the Rangers’ first shutout of the season. Yates recorded his maiden save by capturing the final three outs. Detroit starter Reese Olson (0-2) allowed one run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight. In the first inning, the Tigers had two one-out baserunners: Mark Canha singled and Spencer Torkelson walked. Lorenzen struck out Kerry Carpenter, and Matt Vierling lined out to close the inning.
