Angels at Tigers
The Los Angeles Angels may want to request a longer stay in Detroit this week. The Angels scored a season-high 14 runs in Tuesday’s series-opening win, giving them seven straight victories over the Tigers by a combined score of 48-17. The disappointing Angels haven’t fared as well against everyone else, which explains why they’re 10 1/2 games out of first place in the American League West heading into Wednesday’s contest.
Detroit is eager to leave Tuesday’s loss behind after committing six errors in a game for the first time since Sept. 11, 1982. The Tigers are 4-4 on their 10-game homestand, and their starting pitchers have posted a 6.96 ERA over that stretch. Miguel Cabrera, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-run homer on Tuesday, leads the majors in hitting (.368) and RBIs (77).
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Tommy Hanson (4-2, 5.10 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Jose Alvarez (1-0, 2.45)
Hanson’s ERA jumped from 3.94 to 5.10 after giving up seven runs in two innings against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. It was a dramatic step back for Hanson, who won his previous two starts. Prince Fielder is 5-for-18 with a home run against the 26-year-old right-hander, who is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in three road outings this season.
Alvarez has turned in two strong starts in place of Anibal Sanchez, who remains on the disabled list with a right shoulder sprain. After holding the Cleveland Indians to one run in six innings in his major-league debut, Alvarez allowed two runs over five frames against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. The 24-year-old was called upon after posting a 2.42 ERA in 11 starts for Triple-A Toledo.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels CF Peter Bourjos was held out of the starting lineup Tuesday with a left thumb injury but entered the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning.
2. The Tigers are 31-13 when scoring first.
3. The Angels acquired OF Collin Cowgill from the New York Mets for minor-league OF Kyle Johnson and assigned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.