The Detroit Tigers have won a season-best six consecutive games. They’ll try to extend that streak and notch another series sweep when they host the slumping Los Angeles Angels on Thursday afternoon.
After a four-game road sweep of the Chicago White Sox, the Tigers have won the first two games during their six-game homestand. They held on for a 3-2 win over the Angels on Wednesday as Spencer Torkelson provided the big blow with an early two-run homer.
“We find different ways to win,” Torkelson said in a postgame TV interview. “We’re a versatile team and one night, it’s going to be the pitching staff and one night it’s going to be a couple walks and a bloop, and another night it’s going to be a blast.”
Keider Montero will start the series finale for Detroit. Montero (4-5, 5.15 ERA) has three wins and a no-decision in his past four starts.
The rookie right-hander, who will be facing the Angels for the first time, gave up two runs and six hits over five innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Detroit’s 5-2 win that evening started its winning streak.
“I like the way he ended his innings,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “But there was a lot of stress in the middle of it. His breaking balls were a little loose and he gave up some two-strike hits. But he did respond and got out of the innings.
“It’s important for a young pitcher to realize those are really big outs. If you can get out of the inning and keep the game where it’s at, it gives us a chance. We don’t win if he implodes in any way or runs away from the competition.”
Montero will be opposed by another rookie right-hander, Jack Kochanowicz (1-3, 6.08). He’s posted quality outings in his past three starts despite recording just three strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings.
Kochanowicz, who will be making his sixth career start and first appearance against the Tigers, gave up three runs and seven hits in six-plus innings against Toronto on Friday.
“He was outstanding,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He deserved a better fate. He was getting ground ball after ground ball.”
The Tigers have an unusually high number of left-handed hitters with the recent additions of rookies Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney. They already had four left-handed-hitting regulars — Colt Keith, Parker Meadows, Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter — as well as utilityman Zach McKinstry.
Meadows got the night off on Wednesday.
“(Thursday), I’m going to be pretty heavy left-handed against their starter,” Hinch said. “So knowing what we want against each (pitcher) for the next couple of days, I’m trying to sneak in an off day for the guys, especially those who have recovered from some injuries.”
The Angels held what they felt was a productive team meeting prior to Tuesday’s series. However, it hasn’t translated to the field. They’ll look to halt a seven-game slide on Thursday.
“There were a lot of good things said (Tuesday) at the meeting about where we’re at as an organization and where we want to go,” veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar said. “A lot of guys have earned opportunities, and with that, you’ve got to get out and run with those opportunities.”
–Field Level Media
