Tigers at Orioles
After posting their first shutout victory since Opening Day, the Detroit Tigers have a chance to notch back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a month when they wrap up a three-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. Detroit also will be vying for its first series win since taking two of three from Kansas City from May 3-5.
Niko Goodrum homered for the first time this month and has hit safely in eight of nine contests as the Tigers blanked Baltimore for only their second win in 14 games. JaCoby Jones contributed a run-scoring double to give him seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak for the Tigers. The lone bright spot for the Orioles was rookie outfielder DJ Stewart, who collected three hits after he was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk earlier in the day. Despite dropping to 17-38 overall and 7-20 at home, both major league worsts, Baltimore can record its series win since taking two of three from the Chicago White Sox on April 22-24.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, MASN 2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Ryan Carpenter (0-2, 9.00 ERA) vs. Orioles LH John Means (5-4, 2.96)
Carpenter was promoted from Triple-A Toledo to make his third start of the season and finally turned in a decent performance in a no-decision, limiting the New York Mets to a pair of runs on two solo homers over five innings. He was demoted after he was rocked in his previous two turns, giving up eight runs in four innings versus Houston on May 14 and six runs over five frames against the Los Angeles Angels five days earlier. The long ball is an issue for Carpenter, who has served up five homers.
Means turned in another solid effort at hitter-happy Coors Field last time out, limiting Colorado to three runs over five innings in a no-decision. Although it marked the seventh time in eight outings that he has permitted three runs or fewer, the 26-year-old rookie has done his best pitching at Camden Yards, winning his last three home starts while allowing three runs and 11 hits over 18 innings. Means has flustered left-handed hitters, holding them to a collective .190 batting average (8-for-42).
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers LF Christin Stewart has hit safely in six of his last seven games.
2. DJ Stewart, who also was called up last September, was batting .456 with eight multiple-hit games at Norfolk in May.
3. Tigers 2B Josh Harrison was placed on the 10-day injured list with a second-degree hamstring strain.