Justin Verlander has saved Detroit's season. For now.
Verlander escaped a bases loaded, one out jam in the sixth inning after getting Texas' leadoff batter Ian Kinsler to ground into a 5-3 double play.
Mike Napoli "singled" off of Verlander to centerfield, on a ball that went off of Austin Jackson's glove, yet was somehow ruled a hit. David Murphy doubled into right center field, moving Napoli to third. After a four pitch walk to Mitch Moreland, the bases were loaded with one out for Kinsler.
Kinsler, though, swung at the first pitch, and grounded right to Brandon Inge, who stepped on third and fired to first, getting the huge, inning ending double play.
Verlander, though, is still on the ropes. He's thrown 113 pitches through six innings, and likely isn't long for the game. Jim Leyland currently has Brad Penny and Phil Coke warming in Detroit's bullpen, so at the least, Verlander will likely be chased soon.
Still, failing to score with the bases loaded and less than two outs could prove to be costly for the Rangers.