Gallo, Jurado prove too much for Tigers

DETROIT -- Upon his arrival at Comerica Park on Thursday morning, Rangers manager Chris Woodward jokingly said the thought Joey Gallo would hit three home runs. He was close.

Gallo hit two solo homers to lead the Rangers to a 3-1 win over the Tigers on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park, powering Texas to a three-game sweep.

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The center fielder has 19 homers this season, and he appears completely over a left oblique strain. Gallo had been on the injured list and returned for Tuesday's series opener.

Gallo also made a strong last impression for any undecided All-Star Game voters. He was seventh among American League outfielders entering the final hours of voting Thursday afternoon.

But Gallo was not expecting his late push to carry much weight.

“It probably wouldn’t have helped me,” he said. “People knew who they were going to vote for.”

Woodward said Gallo could not have done much more.

“If you’re trying to make a case, that’s about as good as you’re going to get,” Woodward said. “He deserves it. He should be in the All-Star Game regardless.”

Gallo was 3-for-9 with the two home runs, a double with four walks in the three-game series.

“I was really happy with the walk the other night, the way I was grinding out at bats,” Gallo said. “I think a walk is just as good as a base hit.”

Gallo’s first homer of the game led off the second inning and gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead they wouldn't lose. He drove Spencer Turnbull’s 3-1 pitch deep into the right-field stands, a Statcast-estimated 408 feet away.

Gallo’s second roundtripper, and 19th of the season, came with two out in the fourth on a full-count pitch from Nick Ramirez. The opposite-field drive carried over the fence in left-center field and traveled an estimated 422 feet.

Gallo was happy he could contribute to a victory on the day Woodward turned 43.

“I just wanted to get Woody the win on his birthday,” Gallo said.

Shin-Soo Choo added a sacrifice fly for Texas in the seventh.

Starter Ariel Jurado got the win with an outstanding effort, allowing six hits with a walk and four strikeouts in seven shutout innings.

“Everything was working and I was hitting the corners,” Jurado said through an interpreter.

Chris Martin allowed Detroit's lone run, on Miguel Cabrera’s sacrifice fly, in the eighth.

Shawn Kelley pitched the ninth for his 11th save, getting out of a first-and-third, two-out jam by striking out pinch-hitter Niko Goodrum to end the game. Kelley also struck out the side.

Pence an All Star starter?

Hunter Pence, who is on the injured list with a right groin strain, led AL designated hitters in All-Star voting heading into Thursday, ahead of J.D. Martinez of the Red Sox and Nelson Cruz of the Twins.

Pence has 15 home runs, 48 RBIs, a .294 average, a .962 OPS and a .608 slugging percentage.

“I’m just happy to be considered,” Pence said Thursday.

Before the game, Woodward said Pence would run the bases on Friday in St. Petersburg, and -- barring a setback -- would likely be back early next week, during a four-game home series against the Angels.