ARLINGTON, Texas, May 17 (UPI) -- Jose Valverde recorded the game's final out with the potential tying run on second Friday to preserve Detroit's 2-1 victory over Texas.
The Rangers had a four-game winning streak halted and they lost for just the second time in eight outings.
Valverde was without a job for most of the first month of the season before being signed by the Tigers, with whom he had spent the previous three years.
He came on in the ninth to protect a one-run lead and walked Geovany Soto with one out. Ian Kinsler ran for Soto and moved to second on a ground out. Kinsler was stranded at second when Craig Gentry grounded out to end the game, giving Valverde his fourth save.
Detroit reliever Joaquin Benoit also escaped an eighth-inning jam when, with runners on first and third and one away, he got Nelson Cruz to ground into a double play.
Four Detroit relievers combined to allow four base runners over 3 1/3 innings, but they salvaged a victory for starter Rick Porcello (2-2).
Porcello allowed a run on five hits with six strikeouts in 5 2/3.
Both Detroit runs came in the fifth against Nick Tepesch (3-4). Miguel Cabrera doubled home one of the runs and Alex Avila drove in the other with a sacrifice fly.
