With Little Offensive Support, Tigers' Scherzer Is Handed First Loss

Max Scherzer's unbeaten run ended Saturday night when the Texas Rangers defeated the host Detroit Tigers, 7-1.

Scherzer was trying to become the first pitcher in the majors to start 14-0 since Roger Clemens in 1986. He allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings, walking two and striking out six.

It was Scherzer's first regular-season loss since Sept. 23, a stretch of 21 starts.

"I threw some good pitches, they hit it," Scherzer said. "I threw some bad pitches, they hit it even farther. It's a loss. That's what happens when you don't quite pitch as well."

Mitch Moreland's two-run homer in the fourth gave Texas a 3-0 lead, and for once, the Tigers did not back Scherzer with much offensive support. Derek Holland allowed a run and five hits in seven innings.

"He probably wasn't as dominant, but he still gave us a chance to win and kept us close," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "We just couldn't get any run support for him. Tonight, we failed him." BLUE JAYS 7, ORIOLES 3 J. P. Arencibia put visiting Toronto ahead with a two-run single in the sixth, and the Blue Jays overcame homers by Chris Davis and Adam Jones. Edwin Encarnacion hit his 25th homer for Toronto.

Davis increased his major-league-leading home run total to 36 with a solo shot in the second inning. Reggie Jackson is the only player in American League history with more home runs before the All-Star break. He hit 37 in 1969. INDIANS 5, ROYALS 3 Lonnie Chisenhall hit his first career grand slam, Scott Kazmir pitched into the seventh inning, and host Cleveland beat Kansas City.

RAYS 4, ASTROS 3 Luke Scott had a go-ahead single in the sixth inning after he hit a two-run homer in the fifth, leading host Tampa Bay over Houston. The Rays have won 13 of their last 15 games.

WHITE SOX 5, PHILLIES 4 Alexei Ramirez hit a tiebreaking double in the 11th inning to lift Chicago over host Philadelphia in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

DODGERS 1, ROCKIES 0 Zack Greinke (8-2) retired the first 13 batters before finishing with a two-hitter for his fifth straight win, leading host Los Angeles over Colorado.

The Dodgers won for the 17th time in 21 games despite the absence of the rookie outfielder Yasiel Puig, who missed his first game, with a sore left hip, since his promotion on June 3. MARLINS 2, NATIONALS 1 Giancarlo Stanton homered leading off the ninth to tie the score, and Ed Lucas beat a double-play relay in the 10th to lift host Miami over Washington. Stanton connected against Rafael Soriano to make it 1-1.

CUBS 6, CARDINALS 4 Matt Garza, the subject of much trade speculation, pitched into the seventh inning for his fifth consecutive win, and Alfonso Soriano homered for the ninth time in 15 games, lifting host Chicago over St. Louis.

BRAVES 5, REDS 2 Mike Minor struggled early before recovering to pitch seven strong innings, and also hit a go-ahead double that led host Atlanta over Homer Bailey and Cincinnati.

The Braves, who lost the starting outfielders Jason Heyward, B. J. Upton and Justin Upton to injuries in the first two games of the series, found success with their fill-ins. Jose Constanza, recalled from Class AAA Gwinnett, started in left field and hit leadoff with Reed Johnson in center and the rookie Joey Terdoslavich in right. The patchwork outfield combined for seven hits, including three by Constanza.

PIRATES PITCHER TO MISS ALL-STAR GAME Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jeff Locke will sit out Tuesday's All-Star Game because of stiffness in his lower back.