Major League Baseball

Tigers, Rangers rained out

Published Apr. 20, 2012 10:48 p.m. ET

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Jim Leyland is as impressed with the Texas Rangers as he was during last year's playoffs.

''They're such a tremendously solid team in all areas - starting pitching, defense, bullpen, offense,'' the Detroit manager said Friday. ''They're a very good team, top to bottom. They have a lot of nice weapons, they have a lot of versatility. They're very good - and we are, too.''

Friday night was supposed to be the second game of a four-game set between the Rangers and Tigers at Comerica Park, but it was called after a 25-minute rain delay before a single pitch was thrown. The teams will play a day-night doubleheader Saturday.

Rick Porcello (1-0) of Detroit will face Matt Harrison (2-0) of Texas in the day game. That was supposed to be the matchup Friday. On Saturday night, Detroit ace Justin Verlander (1-1) takes the mound against Neftali Feliz (1-0).

The Rangers beat Detroit 10-3 on Thursday night in the first meeting between the teams since Texas beat the Tigers in six games in last year's AL championship series.

The Tigers (9-4) acquired Prince Fielder in the offseason, hoping to build on that ALCS appearance. Verlander will take the mound Saturday night, five days after throwing 131 pitches in a complete game victory at Kansas City.

Feliz will try to outpitch Verlander. The Texas right-hander saved 72 games over the last two seasons, and he's been sharp so far after moving to the rotation.

Feliz has a 2.25 ERA after two starts this year.

''He's obviously not coming out there full barrel anymore, like you do when you're coming in to close the game out. Starting the game, you've got to pace yourself,'' Leyland said. ''But he's obviously got tremendous stuff.''

Texas slugger Mike Napoli has five homers, nine hits, seven runs and 10 RBIs in his last four games. He couldn't do any more damage Friday night because of the rainout.

''It's something you can't control,'' Napoli said. ''We'll go do the split doubleheader tomorrow and start with game one and go from there.''

Friday's rainout means Texas reliever Scott Feldman will likely make a spot start Wednesday at home against the New York Yankees. Feldman has thrown only 2 1-3 innings this season. He pitched 1 1-3 innings Thursday night.

''I was able to see some hitters up there, so that's always nice to get into some games,'' Feldman said. ''I'd rather be pitching more, but I'm just getting my work in when I can.''

Texas has won seven straight games and is off to a major league-best 11-2 start. Napoli has homered in four straight games, and he isn't the only Ranger on a tear lately. Josh Hamilton is hitting .426 with five homers, and the starting rotation is 9-0.

The Rangers stole four bases Thursday, although they also ran into a couple outs early in the game. Craig Gentry stole second and tried to reach third when a throw bounded into left field. He was thrown out.

''That's the way we play - he just misjudged what he saw,'' manager Ron Washington said. ''I'm not going to blame him for misjudging what he saw because I don't want him to get tentative.''

NOTES: The Tigers on Friday acquired RHP Zach Miner from the Kansas City Royals for cash. He's joining Double-A Erie. Miner, who turned 30 last month, appeared in 157 games for the Tigers from 2006-09, including 35 starts. He had surgery on his right elbow in May 2010 and signed a minor league deal with the Royals before last season. Now he's back in the Detroit organization. ''His versatility I thought was his biggest asset,'' Leyland said. ''He could go short, he could go long, he could start.'' ... Texas 2B Ian Kinsler was set to be the designated hitter Friday, with Michael Young playing 2B. Washington says he doesn't want Young to become ''too stale just DHing.''

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