Ortiz earns Cabrera's respect

DETROIT -- Rookie left-hander Joseph Ortiz faced fellow Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera for the first time on Friday night, and struck out his countryman with a 2-2 changeup.

Cabrera responded by yelling, "Wow!" and smiling at Ortiz.

It was a thrilling moment for the reliever.

"It's a gesture of respect," Ortiz said. "In Venezuela, any time you strike a guy out, it's a gesture of respect. It's a wonderful thing to receive a gesture like that from a hitter of his stature. It tells you what kind of guy he is when he gives respect to a guy like me."

Ortiz met Cabrera last year while playing winter ball in Venezuela.

"He told me I could be in the big leagues soon," said Ortiz, who was called up on Thursday and is in his third tour with the Rangers. He threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings on Saturday, lowering his ERA to 4.50.