DETROIT (AP) — To Victor Martinez, the Texas ploy made perfect sense.
 
The Rangers chose to have closer Neftali Feliz intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera with two outs in the ninth inning, even though it meant bringing Martinez to the plate as the potential winning run.
 
The Detroit newcomer grounded out with two runners on base Monday, finishing off the Tigers’ 2-0 loss to the Rangers.
 
Martinez wasn’t surprised by Texas manager Ron Washington’s bold strategy to pitch around Cabrera.
 
“He’s been swinging the bat good, and I haven’t been swinging the bat good at all,” the four-time All-Star said. “They took a chance on me.”
 
The former Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians standout is hitting just .225, making $12
 
million in the first season of a $50 million, four-year deal he signed with Detroit to primarily be its designated hitter.
 
Martinez, though, said it’s too early to be frustrated.
 
“We’ll see what happens at the end of the year,” he said.
 
Alexi Ogando outpitched Justin Verlander before leaving with a finger problem to help the defending AL champions improve to 9-1, maintaining the majors’ top record and matching the best 10-game start in team history.
 
Michael Young and Mitch Moreland hit RBI doubles in the seventh inning as Texas equaled the start of its 1989 club.
 
Ogando (2-0) gave up just two hits, walked one and struck four in seven innings in his second start in the majors. The converted reliever had his outing cut short by fluid under a callus on his right index finger after pitching six scoreless innings last week with a developing blister on the same finger.
 
Ogando expects to make his next start.
 
Texas reliever Darren Oliver gave up a hit in the eighth. Feliz finished for his fourth save in as many chances after retiring two batters and allowing Ryan Raburn to double, bringing up Cabrera.
 
Verlander (1-1) lost despite pitching a six-hitter, striking out four and walking one in a 119-pitch performance.
 
“It’s terribly disappointing for me,” he said. “I think it’s terribly disappointing for the team.”
 
Verlander was perfect until Josh Hamilton hit a two-out single in the fourth inning.
 
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