Kerry Carpenter helps spark Tigers in 4-2 victory vs. Rangers

"In the DNA of good teams, winning close games is important. We're doing a good job of that."

The tag-team approach in the eighth came about because Rangers' manager Bruce Bochy wanted no part of seeing lefty-swinging Carpenter bat against right-handed reliever and former Tiger Jose Urena, even though Urena had struck out three in 1 2/3 innings.

So with two outs and Zach McKinstry on first base, Bochy summoned the only lefty in his bullpen — Jacob Latz.

Hinch didn't hesitate to send up Vierling.

"It's how everyone expects us to play," Hinch said. "There's not a lot of secrets. It's just a matter of the situation developing and having guys ready. The situation dictates what to do."

Even if it means taking the bat out of Carpenter's hands on a day when he's hit 800-feet worth of extra-base hits and accounted for two of your team's three hits at that point.

"I know how well he's swung the bat," Hinch said. "He's going to get his chances against lefties. I know nobody believes it because I keep hitting for him. But it's hard to leave Vierling on the bench when he can create some havoc. And Gio is right there behind him and Wenceel Perez hitting right-handed.

"We had a run of matchups we really liked and we pieced together an inning."

Vierling singled to right field, sending McKinstry to third. Urshela followed, hitting a ball almost in the exact same spot to right field scoring the go-ahead run. And with Perez at the plate, Latz uncorked a wild pitch allowing Vierling to score from third.

"One advantage we had going in was having a runner at first," Hinch said. "There was a huge hole (on the right side) and we had two guys who can maneuver the bat which helped them stay on (Latz's) changeup. You don't need a homer to score. That's not something we're going to rely on heavily.

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