ARLINGTON, Texas — Detroit manager Jim Leyland was open for suggestions when asked if it was time to reevaluate how the Tigers are pitching to Texas slugger Nelson Cruz.

“That would be a good idea,” Leyland said. “We’ve had him actually set up for some situations where we thought we could make the right pitch and get him out, but we really haven’t done that.”

While the Tigers haven’t figured out how to shut down Cruz, who already has an LCS-record five home runs, they managed to extend the best-of-seven AL series and get it back to Texas.

The Rangers, still with a 3-2 series lead, can get to their second consecutive World Series with a victory in Game 6 on Saturday night.

On his last swing in Texas, before the series shifted locations, Cruz hit the first game-ending grand slam in postseason history. He had another 11th-inning homer in Detroit, a three-run shot in the only one of the three games the Rangers won there.

“When he gets going he’s as good as any power hitter in the game,” Michael Young said. “He’s got that knack for big RBIs, and you definitely need those guys on your team.”

Against the Tigers, Cruz tied Game 2 when he led off the seventh with a solo homer that chased Max Scherzer. The Detroit starter had retired 12 in a row following a double by Cruz, who was hit by a pitch near his wrist in the ninth and then hit his slam.

Cruz also chased Justin Verlander in Game 5 when he pulled a 100-mph 0-2 fastball that hit the left-field pole, just like his homer off Scherzer.

“I realize he’s a good hitter and he’s hot. Given that, you can’t fear him. You have to go right after him,” Scherzer said Friday. “Even though he’s hot, if the situation arises, you might have to be more careful. My game plan, I guarantee you, going forward will be to be aggressive with him. “