Nelson Cruz is certainly earning his paycheck in the ALCS.
Facing Justin Verlander for the fourth time in the game, Cruz belted a two-run shot off of the likely American League Cy Young winner, cutting Detroit's lead down to 7-4.
The home run chased Verlander from the game. Verlander finished the game pitching seven and 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out eight. Verlander threw 133 pitches in the contest. Clearly, Jim Leyland was hesitant to go to his bullpen with his two top relievers, Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde, ruled unavailable for Game 5.
The home run allowed by Koji Uehara in the bottom of the seventh could prove to be costly. Ryan Raburn's solo blast off of Uehara extended Detroit's lead to 7-2.
We'll see if the Rangers can mount a comeback with just four outs left to play with, but all signs look like there will be a Game 6 in Arlington.