DETROIT (AP) _ The Detroit Tigers are slowly recovering from an awful start.

They beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 Tuesday night after third baseman Ken Caminiti mishandled a chopper by Juan Encarnacion as the winning run scored in a two-run ninth inning.

Detroit has won eight of 11, including a three-game sweep at Texas, after winning just five of their first 19 games and having the worst record in baseball.

The Tigers had a losing record in April for the eighth consecutive season.

``Hopefully, we can make up for our April,'' said closer Todd Jones (1-2). ``It's exciting and it's encouraging.''

While music and smiles filled the Tigers' clubhouse, the mood was much different among the Rangers.

Texas (12-20) has lost eight of nine and 14 of 19, and is off to its worst start since 1985.

Texas starter Rick Helling allowed three runs _ two earned _ and eight hits while walking five in 5 2-3 innings. The Rangers entered the game with an AL-worst 6.58 ERA.

``I think it's time guys stand up and start taking responsibility for us not playing well,'' Helling said. ``And I'm one of the main guys.''

Caminiti gave Texas a 1-0 lead in the second with his first homer since April 17 and third of the year, but the play that will be remembered will be the chopper he couldn't handle in the ninth.

``It's one of those plays where you have to come and get it,'' Caminiti said, staring at the floor. ``It's not an easy play, but more times than not, I've made that play.''

With the Rangers leading 4-3, Tim Crabtree (0-1), in his first appearance since April 15, gave up a leadoff double to Jose Macias and walked Bobby Higginson. Robert Fick hit an RBI single to tie the game, and Caminiti's error allowed Higginson to score from third.

Manager Jerry Narron, 1-3 since replacing Johnny Oates, decided before the game to use Crabtree as a closer right away.

Jones gave up two hits in the ninth, but a diving stop and assist from shortstop Deivi Cruz prevented the Rangers from adding to their 4-3 lead.

``Deivi has been doing that behind me for five years,'' Jones said. ``I'm kind of used to it.''

Detroit starter Chris Holt gave up four runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings before the bullpen took over and held the Rangers scoreless.

The Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the third. Higginson hit a two-out single, Dean Palmer singled and Higginson scored when left fielder Rusty Greer misplayed the ball for an error. Fick followed with an RBI single.

An RBI double by Frank Catalanotto tied the game 2-2 in the fourth. Andres Galarraga's two-run single in the fifth gave the Rangers a 4-2 lead.

Helling was chased in the sixth after giving up a double to Cruz and walking two. Mike Venafro walked Roger Cedeno on four pitches to make it 4-3.

Notes: Alex Rodriguez, who was 2-for-5, was a few feet away from hitting a homer in the seventh. The 25-year-old shortstop is one away from becoming the sixth player to hit 200 homers before turning 26. ... Tony Clark was taken out of the lineup during batting practice because of a stiff back. He was used as a pinch-hitter in the sixth, but he was taken out after walking. ... Caminiti, who has 227 homers, needs one more to tie Howard Johnson for 10th place among switch-hitters. ... Kapler extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... Palmer has an eight-game hitting streak. ... Rafael Palmerio's strikeout in the fourth was the 1,000th of his career.