Tampa Bay @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2010 ) Tampa Bay 6, Detroit 3
With his team's starting rotation in turmoil, David Price came to the Tampa Bay Rays' rescue on Monday night. Price became the first 15-game winner in the American League by lifting the Rays to a crucial victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The two teams meet again Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
Price lasted just five innings in Tampa Bay's 6-3 win. He allowed two runs on five hits as the Rays snapped a five-game losing streak to move 1.5 games behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees. They also remained 4.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the wild card standings.
The Rays were hit with a pair on injuries over the weekend. Both Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann were sent back to Florida to have their shoulders examined during their series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Niemann (10-3) was placed on the disabled list on Monday with a shoulder strain.
Davis, who hoped to make Tuesday's start, may also go on the 15-day disabled list. While the Rays had not officially announced their starter, rookie Jeremy Hellickson told one publication that he was going to make the start.
Hellickson is another of the highly touted Rays prospects. He defeated the Minnesota Twins a week ago allowing just three hits and two runs in the 4-2 win.
While both pitchers may soon be on the disabled list, Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said that MRIs showed nothing serious and their stays there would be more precautionary than anything else. The Rays had hoped to limit the innings of some of their starters as all five were on pace to throw over 200 innings this year.
Andy Sonnanstine is expected to make Niemann's next start and the Rays recalled reliever Mike Ekstrom from Triple-A Durham to take his spot on the roster. Ekstrom arrived at the park during Monday's game.
Tampa Bay also moved leadoff hitter Carl Crawford to the No. 3 spot in the order to shake things in the anemic offense. Crawford had an RBI single and the Rays, who hit .154 as a team during their five-game losing streak, had 11 hits on Monday.
One thing's for sure - Max Scherzer (7-8) will start for the Tigers. Scherzer is one of the lone bright spots for a team that has lost 21 of its last 27 games and fallen out of the playoff picture in the AL Central.
Scherzer has won his last six decisions at Comerica Park. He's won just one of his last four starts, but has allowed just a total of six earned runs in those games. Scherzer left with a 4-1 lead late in a game against the Red Sox, but the bullpen was unable to hold the advantage.
His ERA continues to fall from a high of 7.29 to its current 4.11.
The Tigers continue to get their starters back from the disabled list. On Monday, second baseman Carlos Guillen returned after missing two weeks. Brandon Inge returned a few days earlier.