Rangers, Tigers takes control of MLB series

Mike Napoli ignited a four-run seventh inning with a two-run homer as the Texas Rangers held on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in game three of their first round MLB playoff series. Pitcher Colby Lewis struck out six batters and walked just two for the Rangers, who have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five American League series. In the late game, Delmon Young hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning off Rafael Soriano to help the Detroit Tigers take a 5-4 win over New York on Monday. The defending AL champion Rangers can wrap up the series with a win in game four on Tuesday. "I think it has a lot to do with the atmosphere that he's in," Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Napoli. "It has a lot to do with the work ethic that he brings. "He's a dirt bag. He is a baseball player. He really is. We always knew he had the power, we always knew he had the on-base percentage, and this year he put it together as far as average-wise go." "Napoli has just been -- this is the year of the Napoli, man," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He is just hot. And he got a pitch. Josh Hamilton also singled in two runs in the seventh for Texas who survived a shaky night from their bullpen at Tropicana Field. Lewis, who outpitched Rays starter David Price, gave up just one home run to Desmond Jennings in six innings of work in his first career playoff road game. Rookie Jennings hit a pair of solo homers for the Rays. Tampa gave the Rangers a scare late in the game by scoring twice off Rangers relievers before Neftali Feliz registered four outs for his second save of the series. "It was three of the toughest innings that we experienced all year," Washington said of the late-inning scare. Price allowed three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. He went 12-13 with a 3.49 ERA during the regular season. Matt Harrison is scheduled to pitch for Texas and Jeremy Hellickson for Tampa Bay in game four on Tuesday. In Detroit, Justin Verlander struck out 11 in eight innings and closing pitcher Jose Valverde stopped a Yankees' late rally for the second straight night as the Tigers seized a 2-1 series lead over New York. Valverde struck out Yankees star Derek Jeter with two men on base to end the game in the ninth inning and push New York to the brink of elimination from the playoffs. "There was so much adrenaline," Verlander said. "I was out of rhythm in the first inning and then I found it. I woke up and it was a tie game. "But this team has a never-say-die attitude and we have done it all year. We either come from behind or get a big hit. Tonight it was Delmon." Young homered to right field with one out in the seventh inning. He was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in August. Verlander and Yankees ace pitcher CC Sabathia were back on the mound after their game one contest was halted early by bad weather Friday. Sabathia did not make it through the sixth inning Monday. In contrast, Verlander was still throwing the ball at 160 kph (100 mph) into the eighth inning. The only bad moment for Verlander came during New York's final at-bats when he was hit in the shoulder by a foul ball while sitting quietly in the corner of the Tigers' dugout. Verlander screamed "ouch" but the pain did not last long and moments later was joking with his teammates about the misfortune. "Whatever it may be, we always seem to find a way," Verlander said. The Tigers have a chance to win the series Tuesday at Comerica Park. The Yankees will send pitching ace A.J. Burnett to the mound, while Detroit will start Rick Porcello.