DETROIT (AP) -- Nelson Cruz made a rocket throw to keep the score tied, then hit a crushing three-run homer in the 11th inning that helped send the Texas Rangers over the Detroit Tigers 7-3 Wednesday night for a 3-1 lead in the AL championship series.

Cruz, whose grand slam in the 11th won Game 2, once again starred for the Rangers in a game delayed at the start for more than two hours by rain.

With Detroit runners at the corners in the eighth and the score 3-all, Cruz caught Delmon Young's fly ball to right field and made a strong peg to catcher Mike Napoli to nail Miguel Cabrera.

Napoli hit a go-ahead single in the 11th and Cruz soon added his fourth home run of the ALCS.

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