Tigers at Red Sox
There was a sense that the Boston Red Sox had turned around their rocky start with a series sweep in Tampa Bay, but the positive vibes were short-lived. The Red Sox will try to recover from an ugly doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers when the teams continue a four-game series Wednesday night.
After the opener of the set was rained out, the Tigers picked up 7-4 and 4-2 victories in Tuesday's twinbill, dropping the defending World Series champs to 9-15. Struggling second baseman Josh Harrison had four hits and a pair of RBIs on the day for Detroit, which has won four of its last five after losing five in a row. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts went deep twice in the matinee and added an RBI single in the nightcap for the Red Sox. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez starts Wednesday for Boston and will try to give his team some length after its bullpen was forced to pitch 9 2/3 innings during the doubleheader.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Tyson Ross (1-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 7.20)
Ross has lasted at least six innings in three straight starts, allowing two earned runs in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He has made three appearances in his career at Fenway Park - all in relief - and has been pounded for five runs in 1 2/3 innings. Steve Pearce has a single and a double in two previous at-bats against Ross.
After allowing six runs in each of his first two starts, Rodriguez has given up a total of six (five earned) over his last two outings. He has 14 strikeouts and one walk in 12 innings during the improved stretch, helping the Red Sox to wins in both appearances. JaCoby Jones is 3-for-4 with a triple and a double against Rodriguez, who is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA in four career starts versus Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox IF Michael Chavis hit his first career homer in Tuesday's nightcap - his third game since being called up over the weekend,
2. Tigers 1B/DH Miguel Cabrera is 9-for-32 with five runs scored during an eight-game hitting streak.
3. Detroit's starting rotation has a 3.13 ERA; Boston's is at 6.22 - last in the majors.