By John Raffel

Arlington, TX

Nelson Cruz hit what are likely the two biggest home runs of his career and has the Texas Rangers two wins from another World Series appearance.

Cruz was the hero Monday night as he blasted a grand slam in the 11th inning to give the Rangers a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers and a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series.

Michael Young led off the inning with a single to left off Ryan Perry (0-1) before Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli followed with singles to load the bases.

Cruz followed with a blast to left field after he tied the game in the seventh with a homer off the left-field foul pole.

Mike Adams worked a scoreless top of the 11th for Texas to earn the win.

Game 3 is Tuesday in Detroit.

Ryan Raburn hit a three-run homer in the third to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead. Miguel Cabrera doubled and Victor Martinez was hit by a pitch prior to Raburn's shot off Derek Holland.

Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on RBI doubles by Josh Hamilton and Beltre.

 

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