Tigers at Mets
After finally putting an end to a ghastly losing streak, the Detroit Tigers will look to post back-to-back victories for the first time in over a month when they resume a three-game series at the New York Mets on Saturday afternoon. Detroit was pierced for 68 runs during its nine-game slide and had to overcome a five-homer barrage by the Mets in Friday's 9-8 victory.
JaCoby Jones belted a two-run homer and added a go-ahead, two-run double to put the Tigers in position to earn their first series win since taking two of three from Kansas City from May 3-5. Miguel Cabrera homered for the first time since April 26 to move one behind Chipper Jones (468) for 34th place on the all-time list. Rookie Pete Alonso clubbed his fifth homer in eight games to boost his season total to 17 and was matched by Wilson Ramos with two hits and a solo shot as New York lost for only the fourth time in franchise history when going deep at least five times. Mets outfielder Michael Conforto, sidelined with a concussion since May 16, said Friday that he feels 100 percent and could return to the lineup as early as Saturday pending approval from MLB.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Ryan Carpenter (0-2, 13.00 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jason Vargas (1-2, 5.92)
Carpenter was hit hard in his first two starts, giving up six runs over five innings against the Los Angeles Angels in his season debut before being rocked for eight runs in four frames on May 14 versus Houston. He was tagged for two homers in each start and the opposition is batting a robust .381 against him. “He has bounced up and down,” manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters. “He is not going to come up here afraid. He is going to come up here and throw the ball. When he is using all of his pitches, he can be effective.”
Vargas is returning to the rotation for the first time in nearly three weeks after straining his hamstring in a loss at Milwaukee on May 5, when he was reached for three runs over four innings. The 36-year-old had been pitching better since he was pummeled for eight runs across 1 1/3 innings spanning two appearances, permitting one run each in three straight starts before he was hurt. Cabrera is 6-for-20 with a homer and four doubles against Vargas, who owns a 4-6 record and 6.38 ERA in 13 career starts versus Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers RF Nicholas Castellanos is riding a five-game hitting streak.
2. Mets OF Aaron Altherr became the 12th player in franchise history - and third this season - to homer in their first at-bat with the team.
3. Cabrera has multiple hits in four of his last seven games.