The Tigers trailed 5-3, but quickly loaded the bases with nobody out against Texas reliever Stan Thomas. Bill Freehan singled, Ben Oglivie doubled the Tigers catcher to third, and Leon Roberts walked.
Tom Veryzer walked to to force in a run, and after Aurelio Rodriguez struck out, Ron LeFlore delivered a single to score Oglivie and tie the game. Texas manager Billy Martin then went to fireman Steve Foucault.
That brought the American League's leading hitter, Gary Sutherland to the plate with the bases loaded and one out.
"No reason to not have confidence," LeFlore said of Sutherland being up in that situation. "He's the man lately."
Sutherland, ironically, didn't get a hit, but still won the game for the Tigers. His drive to right fielder Jeff Burroughs was deep enough to score Roberts with the winning run as the Tigers streamed onto the field from the dugout.
After scoring just 55 runs in their first 19 games, the Tigers (11-12) have plated 27 runners in the past four games, all victories.
"Amazing how scoring runs can make you smarter," manager Ralph Houk cracked after the game.
Sutherland (.387 BA) won the game with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning
The win went to reliever Gene Pentz (1-0), who pitched two innings after starter Joe Coleman went the first seven.
Lenny Randle, a thorn in the Tigers' side in the first two games of this weekend series, slammed a rare home run in the fifth. The two -run shot gave Texas a 3-1 lead. The Tigers responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.
Texas scored single runs in the seventh and ninth, before the Tigers' offense rose to the challenge.
Toby Harrah had three hits and scored three runs for the Rangers. LeFlore had three hits, including a triple.
The Tigers go for the series sweep Sunday, with lefty Mickey Lolich facing right hander Fergie Jenkins.
Notes: Houk was asked if he was concerned with the lack of stolen bases from speedster LeFlore, who is 2-for-7 in attempts this season. Many projected LeFlore to steal 40+ bases this year. "They (stolen bases) will come," Houk said. "Ronnie has too much speed for them not to. A couple calls haven't gone his way, either"...The saga of Nate Colbert continues. Houk put Colbert back into his cleanup spot, but the first baseman went o-for-4 with three strikeouts, lowering his average to an unsightly .107. He has struck out 30 times in 84 at-bats...The Tigers have committed a league-high 25 errors this season.
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Tigers record: 11-12 (actual 12-11)
Home: 6-8
Away: 5-4
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