DETROIT -- On a day full of bad news on the injury front, at least the Texas Rangers could enjoy a victory. Shin-Soo Choo homered, Chris Gimenez had four hits and the Rangers rolled to a 9-2 victory over the slumping Detroit Tigers on Thursday. This was supposed to be Prince Fielders first game back in Detroit after the Tigers traded him in the off-season, but the big first baseman didnt make the trip because of a herniated disk in his neck that could keep him out the rest of the season. Fielder is expected to have surgery Tuesday. General manager Jon Daniels announced that after the game. Manager Ron Washington had already finished talking to reporters by then. "You just want to go out there and give yourself a chance, hope your pitching staff gives you a chance," Washington said. "We understand not every day were going to be able to put nine runs up, especially against this team." Yu Darvish (4-2) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking three. The Rangers broke through quickly against Detroit rookie Robbie Ray (1-1), who lasted only 3 1-3 innings. Ray allowed seven runs, nine hits and four walks, and the AL Central-leading Tigers lost their fourth straight. Ian Kinsler, who was traded to Detroit for Fielder in an off-season blockbuster, went 1 for 3 in his first game against the Rangers. The Tigers breezed to a 27-12 start before being swept in a three-game series at Cleveland. Star right-handers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were both knocked around in that series, and a 13-inning finale against the Indians taxed the bullpen. Rays start Thursday made the situation even worse, and infielder Danny Worth ended up pitching the ninth inning for Detroit. Worth, throwing a knuckleball, actually struck out two in a scoreless frame. "That was a lot of fun," Worth said. "Obviously, you dont ever want to be needed in that spot, but once I got out there, I enjoyed it." Alex Rios opened the scoring with an RBI double off Ray in the second, and Gimenez drove him home with a single. Adrian Beltre added a two-run double the following inning and later scored to make it 5-0. In half of Darvishs first eight starts, the Rangers failed to provide a single run of support. That wasnt a problem Thursday. Choos two-run homer in the fourth chased Ray, and Michael Choices two-run single later that inning gave the Rangers a nine-run lead. Gimenez had never even had a three-hit game before Thursday. Not only did he contribute offensively, but he also had little trouble behind the plate. It was his first time catching Darvish and his tricky array of pitches. "He let me do whatever I wanted to do," Darvish said through a translator. "So I felt really good." Texas has won back-to-back games for only the second time this month, but the Rangers injury woes remain a major concern. It looks like they will be without Fielder for a while, and in the third inning, centre fielder Daniel Robertson hurt himself in an outfield collision. Robertson came diving in headfirst to try to make a catch, at the same time Rios came sliding in from right. Replays showed a wad of gum popping out of Robertsons mouth when the two players collided. X-ray and concussion tests were negative. "Its a hard play, its a hustle play," Robertson said. "If we were to do it 10 times again, Id make the same play." The Tigers lead second-place Minnesota by 4 1/2 games in the division, but theyve allowed 31 runs in their past four games, an uncharacteristic spell for what might be baseballs best starting rotation. Detroits starters have allowed 19 earned runs over a three-game span, the first time thats happened since May 24-27, 2011, according to STATS. The last time a position player pitched for the Tigers was also in 2011, when Don Kelly did it. NOTES: Detroits extra-inning loss to Cleveland on Wednesday took 5 hours, 16 minutes. Thursdays game looked as if it might stretch past 4 hours for a while, but it sped up toward the end and was over in 3:30. ... Detroit RHP Anibal Sanchez (1-2) takes the mound against Texas RHP Scott Baker (0-0) on Friday night. Earl Watson Jersey .com) - The Utah Jazz look to put an end to their five-game losing streak when the Denver Nuggets visit Salt Lake City Monday night. Ja Morant Jersey . Orlov, who scored two goals in the game, was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the play. The Flyers scored once on the power play and again with the extra attacker with 65 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. https://www.cheapgrizzlies.com/134p-brya...zzlies.html.com) - James Harden had 32 points, including a tying layup late in regulation, and the Houston Rockets scored eight of their 13 points in overtime at the foul line to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-111 on Friday night. Mike Bibby Jersey . As if he had been rehearsing it, Vasquez looked around with a grimacing stare as he clinched two fists and flexed his muscles. What do you think of DeMar DeRozans face after he hits a big shot, he was asked moments earlier. Michael Dickerson Jersey . Speaking with TSN 1050 following Brendan Shanahans introductory press conference, the Leafs GM also addressed the clubs perceived leadership issues and the type of working relationship that can be expected within Torontos front office.Tucson, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - T.J. McConnells solid all-around effort helped No. 6 Arizona avenge a recent loss to Oregon State with a 57-34 victory on Friday. McConnell finished with seven points, eight steals and six assists, Brandon Ashley scored 12 points with six rebounds and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson netted 11 for the Wildcats (20-2, 8-1 Pac-12), who won their sixth straight game since a 58-56 loss to the Beavers in Corvallis on Jan. 11. I think everybody kind of stepped up, Ashley said. We came into this game really focused. Olaf Schaftenaar paced Oregon State (14-7, 5-4) with eight points and six boards in the teams second straight loss. After Gary Payton IIs basket tied the game at 13-13 with 7:45 to play, Arizona scored the final 11 points before halftime. Gabe York ignited the spurt with a 3-pointer, Hollis-Jeffersson supplied a three-point play following Ashleys free throw and Kaleb Tarczewski and Stanley Johnson each contributed a layup as the Wildcats owned a 24-13 advantage at halftime.dddddddddddd Nearly five minutes into the second half, Elliott Pitts gave Arizona its first points of the second half with a strong layup and ensuing free throw and then knocked down a trey for a 30-17 lead. McConnell assisted on both buckets. The Wildcats led comfortably down the stretch. Game Notes Arizona won its 34th straight home game and is unbeaten in 17 Pac-12 games at McKale Center ... The Wildcats have held 66 of its last 67 opponents below 80 points ... Arizona improved to 32-6 against Oregon State in Tucson ... The Wildcats shot 40.8 percent from the field compared to the Beavers paltry 28.6. ' ' '
