Tigers at Royals
The Detroit Tigers look to follow a stirring comeback with another strong performance when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Tigers pushed across three runs in the ninth inning on Monday for a 5-4 triumph in the opener - their third victory in 11 games.
Jim Adduci recorded the tying two-run double with none out in the ninth and scored on James McCann's double as Detroit won its second straight road contest after losing its previous seven. McCann recorded three hits for the third time this season while Adduci notched two for the second straight time as a starter as the duo combined for half of the Tigers' total of 10 hits. Kansas City had its three-game winning streak snapped, but Lucas Duda continued to be a recent bright spot by driving in three runs as he is 8-for-19 with a homer and seven RBIs during a modest five-game hitting streak. Mike Moustakas delivered a pinch-hit RBI double for the Royals but is just 2-for-21 over his last seven games.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (4-1, 3.71 ERA) vs. Royals RH Burch Smith (0-1, 5.98)
Zimmermann suffered his first setback of the season when he gave up four runs and 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay in his last outing. The 32-year-old gave up fewer than two runs in five of his previous six starts before struggling against the Rays. Zimmermann gave up two hits over five scoreless innings in a win over Kansas City on May 5 and is 4-0 with a 1.48 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against the Royals.
Smith is making his third start of the season as Kansas City studies him to see if he can fill a rotation spot in the future. The 28-year-old made 24 relief appearances before being moved into the rotation and lasted just 5 1/3 total innings while giving up six runs and 10 hits in the first two outings. Smith has served up nine homers in 43 2/3 frames this season and 18 in 80 career frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kansas City OF Brian Goodwin went 2-for-2 after entering the game in the seventh inning in his debut with the team.
2. Detroit RF Nicholas Castellanos was hitless in four at-bats on Monday and is mired in an 11-game home run drought.
3. Royals backup C Drew Butera recorded a season-best three hits in the opener and is 8-for-21 over his last seven games.