ARLINGTON, Texas -- With a little help from slugger Miguel Cabrera, Rick Porcello and the Detroit Tigers slowed down the Texas Rangers. Cabrera went 3 for 4 with a go-ahead double in the fifth inning to back Porcello and lift the Tigers over the Rangers 2-1 Friday night in a matchup of division leaders. Texas had scored 51 runs in its past eight games, going 7-1 in that stretch. Porcello and four relievers, however, cooled off a Rangers offence that knocked out ace Justin Verlander in the third inning Thursday night. Cabrera broke a scoreless tie with an RBI double off the wall in left that scored Andy Dirks. Cabrera scored later in the fifth to provide the Tigers with just enough offence to give manager Jim Leyland his 1,699th career victory. "We had some opportunities and we were able to score just enough runs to beat them today," Detroit catcher Alex Avila said. "And on the flip side, our guys were able to keep it at a minimum when they had opportunities. We were able to get out of big jams." Porcello (2-2) allowed one run and five hits in 5 2-3 innings with six strikeouts and a walk as the Tigers rebounded from a 10-4 loss Thursday night. The 24-year-old Porcello is 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts since giving up nine runs in two-thirds of an inning April 20 against the Los Angeles Angels. Detroit remained tied with the Cleveland Indians atop the AL Central. "I think Im in a little bit of a groove for sure," Porcello said. "Im getting better results now, so its nice." Joaquin Benoit escaped a first-and-third jam with one out in the eighth when he induced Nelson Cruzs double-play grounder. Cruz also bounced into a double play in the fourth when the Rangers had runners on first and second with nobody out. The Rangers, owners of the best record in the AL, went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. "You want to be up in those situations," Cruz said. "I just hope to get another chance so I come through." Jose Valverde got three groundouts around a one-out walk to Geovany Soto in the ninth, getting his fourth save in five chances this season. "You dont expect a 2-1 ballgame in this ballpark too many times," Leyland said. "Its a lightning rod and you can hit it out of here at any time." Soto homered for a second straight game, a solo shot off Porcello in the fifth that brought the Rangers within 2-1. Rookie Nick Tepesch (3-4) gave up two runs, six hits and three walks in five innings as Detroit stopped the Rangers three-game winning streak. "Detroit has a pretty good lineup," Tepesch said. "I just have to take the positives from this start and be ready for the next one." Dirks led off the fifth with a bloop single to centre and advanced to second on a groundout. Cabrera, hitting .509 (27 for 53) with runners in scoring position, lined an 0-1 pitch off the wall in left field near the out of town scoreboard for his AL-leading 42nd RBI. Cabrera scored on Avilas sacrifice fly. Cabrera nearly put Detroit ahead in the third when he singled to centre with Dirks on second base. Leonys Martin made a perfect throw to Soto at the plate for the out. NOTES: Texas RHP Alexi Ogando, placed on the DL Thursday with right biceps tendinitis, underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage. ... Texas 2B Ian Kinsler did not start because of bruised ribs after he was hit by a Verlander pitch Thursday night. Kinsler entered in the ninth as pinch runner. ... Detroits Torii Hunter is two home runs shy of 300 in his career. ... Rangers RHP Justin Miller (right elbow surgery) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Friday night at Double-A Frisco. Scott Niedermayer Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. 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KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The 23,721 fans who came to watch the Western Michigan play its first home game as a nationally ranked team in program history likely didnt expect to be treated to a close game.Broncos coach P.J. Fleck didnt mind the challenge.Zach Terrell threw for a career-high 398 yards and three touchdowns and No. 20 Western Michigan had 569 yards of total offense in a 45-31 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.You know how hard it is to do what were doing? I dont know if anybody understands how hard it is, Fleck said. We needed to be challenged like that. We needed that adversity. We needed things not to be perfect. It was hard, and we still found a way to win.The Broncos (8-0, 4-0 Mid-American) are 8-0 for the first time since 1941. They trailed 17-14 late in the first half, the first time theyve trailed at Waldo Stadium this season.Western Michigan answered Eastern Michigan with two scoring drives in the final minutes of the half, aided by Obbie Jacksons interception. Terrell made it 31-17 when he hit Thompson for an 8-yard touchdown pass on the Broncos first possession of the third quarter.Terrells 31-yard touchdown pass to Corey Davis late in the third quarter pushed the Broncos past the 40-point mark for the fifth consecutive game. Davis had five receptions for 87 yards. Carrington Thompson had eight catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns, and Jarvion Franklin ran for 114 yards and a touchdown for the Broncos.Brogan Roback threew for 319 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score for Eastern Michigan (5-3, 2-2).ddddddddddddTHE TAKEAWAYWestern Michigan: After entering the Top 25 for the first time in program history two weeks ago, the Broncos are learning on the fly. The latest lesson, Fleck said, is that as a top 20 program, youre not going to get anything less than anybodys best. All chips placed on black or red, were coming at you. Fleck said that he hadnt seen half of Eastern Michigans offensive plays on film and the Eagles rolled up more than 450 yards. Fortunately for the Broncos, the offense had more than enough fire power to save the day.Eastern Michigan: The Eagles bid to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1995 must wait another week. Hanging tough with the Broncos shows that their resurgence -- theyve already matched their win total for the last three seasons combined -- may be no fluke.POLL IMPLICATIONSA 14-point win over Eastern Michigan might not impress many poll vote rs, but the Broncos will have a chance to show off a little in their next two games, both nationally televised, Tuesday night affairs at Ball State and Kent State.UP NEXTWestern Michigan: The Broncos begin the MACs annual late-season, mid-week, made-for-TV schedule at Ball State on Tuesday, Nov. 1.Eastern Michigan: The Eagles host Miami next Saturday. ' ' '