Mariners at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have not won a series at home since the first week of May but they have a chance to put an end to that drought when they face the Seattle Mariners in the rubber match of a three-game set on Thursday afternoon. The worst home team in the majors at 17-42, the Tigers leveled the series with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night.
Victor Reyes collected two hits and two RBIs Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to four games and help Detroit win for only the eighth time in 32 contests since the All-Star break. Travis Demeritte also had a pair of hits and has hit safely in eight straight games as the Tigers beat Seattle for the first time in six meetings this year and ended an eight-game skid in the series. The Mariners went deep five times in the series opener and hit two more homers Wednesday, including the team-leading 27th by Daniel Vogelbach. J.P. Crawford clubbed his first homer since July 25 but he is only 6-for-37 in August for Seattle, which has dropped nine of 11.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Tommy Milone (1-7, 4.70 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Spencer Turnbull (3-10, 3.68)
The Mariners will go with an opener in the series finale before turning to Milone, who is 0-6 over his last nine appearances and remains in search of his first victory since May 27. The 32-year-old followed the opener last time out and was reached for five runs and six hits over four innings while surrendering three home runs for the third time in his last five outings. Miguel Cabrera is 8-for-22 against Milone, who tossed five innings of two-run ball against the Tigers on July 28.
Like Milone, Turnbull is 0-6 in his last nine trips to the mound, remaining winless since May 31 despite giving up two runs on three hits over six innings against Kansas City on Saturday. It was the second quality start in three appearances for the 26-year-old rookie, who has failed to pitch beyond three innings in his three other starts since June 27. Set to make his first start versus Seattle, Turnbull is seeking his first win at Comerica Park, going 0-6 with a 4.08 ERA this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cabrera collected his 574th double, tying Bobby Abreu for the most by a Venezuelan-born player.
2. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager has hit safely in eight straight games.
3. Tigers recalled RHP David McKay, claimed off waivers from Seattle last week, from Triple-A Toledo.