Tigers at Pirates (Game 2)
The Pittsburgh Pirates totaled five runs while getting swept in a four-game series at Philadelphia over the weekend and are losers of six of their last seven. The Pirates got an unexpected extra day off due to the weather on Tuesday and will try to turn things around when they host the Detroit Tigers in a straight doubleheader on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh scored two or fewer runs in each of its last six losses and wasted a strong pitching effort in a 3-2 loss in 11 innings on Sunday. "It falls in our lap," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told reporters. "We had opportunities. We had them throughout the game. We had a rough week. We need to take a day off and figure it out and show up ready to play at home." The Tigers are winners of five of their last seven but suffered a bit of a letdown when they missed out on a chance to win a four-game series by falling to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. The Tigers were swept in a three-game series at home against Pittsburgh to begin the season.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (0-1, 1.40 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (2-1, 4.57)
Boyd dominated in each of his first three starts, allowing a total of three runs and nine hits over 19 1/3 innings. The Oregon State product yielded two hits and struck out a season-high six against Baltimore last Wednesday but did not factor in the decision of a game Detroit went on to win 6-5. Boyd is making his second career start against the Pirates and was ripped for six runs - five earned - and nine hits across four innings the first time.
Kuhl posted his first quality start while holding Colorado to one run and four hits over six innings on Wednesday. The Delaware native failed to complete six innings in any of his first three turns and has allowed 28 hits in 21 2/3 total innings. Kuhl faced off against Detroit on April 1 and picked up a win while scattering four runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Tigers designated RHP Drew VerHagen for assignment on Monday.
2. Pirates RF Gregory Polanco is 4-for-34 over the last nine games.
3. Pittsburgh RHP Kyle Crick has yet to allow a run in five appearances, covering 4 2/3 innings.