Tigers at Rockies
Michael Fulmer aims to halt a six-start winless streak when the Detroit Tigers visit the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague series. Fulmer dropped five consecutive starts before taking a no-decision against the New York Yankees in his past turn.
The Tigers recorded a 4-3 victory in Monday's series opener to win on the road for just the second time in their last 11 attempts. Detroit might be without Miguel Cabrera on Tuesday after the slugger departed Monday's contest due to lower back tightness - and it is possible the soreness will lead the club to have him begin serving a seven-game suspension for his actions in Thursday's brawl-filled game against the Yankees. Monday's setback was the 13th in 20 contests for the Rockies, who hold a three-game lead over Milwaukee for the National League's second wild card. Colorado's Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-5 in the opener to raise his NL-leading batting average to .340 and is 12-for-26 with two homers during his six-game hitting streak.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (10-11, 3.69 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (10-5, 4.18)
Fulmer allowed five runs - four earned - and five hits in six innings against the Yankees in the contest in which three benches-clearing incidents occurred. The 24-year-old went 9-6 with a 3.19 ERA prior to the All-Star break and is just 1-5 with a 5.06 ERA in seven starts since. Fulmer is 2-2 with a 2.33 ERA in four career interleague starts and will be facing the Rockies for the first time.
Marquez settled for a no-decision against Kansas City in his last start as he gave up two runs and eight hits - two homers - over six innings. The 22-year-old rookie has served up five blasts in his last two outings after allowing just 12 over his first 20 turns. Marquez is 6-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 starts at Coors Field.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies RF Carlos Gonzalez (ankle) was a late scratch in the opener and is considered day-to-day.
2. Detroit 3B Nicholas Castellanos recorded a two-run triple - his AL-leading 10th of the season - among three hits in the opener.
3. Colorado activated LF/1B Ian Desmond (calf), who went 2-for-4 in his first action in more than a month, and optioned OF Raimel Tapia to Triple-A Albuquerque.