"In the first three games of the AL Championship Series, the Tigers missed many opportunities on offense.

In Wednesday night's Game 4, they had far fewer, with just five hits through eight innings. So with some of their batters slumping, the Tigers made a pair of gambles — and came up empty on both.

Those led to a 7-3, 11-inning loss, giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead in the series.

With one out in the eighth inning, Rangers manager Ron Washington chose to walk Miguel Cabrera, but Victor Martinez singled and Cabrera advanced to third with one out.

The next batter, Delmon Young, hit a fly ball to right, and third base coach Gene Lamont sent Cabrera home to score on the sacrifice fly.

Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz threw a one-hop strike to catcher Mike Napoli, beating Cabrera to the plate by a few feet and ending the threat. Cabrera attempted to collide with Napoli and jar the ball loose, but Napoli held on.

"It was the right call — Cruz threw it on the money," Leyland said. "If the throw's off line, he makes it; if it's not, he's out."