Detroit Tigers

Tigers vie to extend win streak against Orioles (Aug 05, 2017)

Published Aug. 5, 2017 2:34 a.m. ET

BALTIMORE -- The Detroit Tigers will try to stretch their winning streak to five games on Saturday when they take on the Baltimore Orioles in the third contest of a weekend series at Camden Yards.

Detroit (51-57) won the first two encounters of this four-game set, scoring a 5-2 victory Friday thanks to a Justin Upton grand slam off Mychal Givens in the eighth inning.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said there's no real complex reason why his team has been winning games the past several days.

"We're out-scoring them, really-- there's no secret," Ausmus said. "The bullpen has done a nice job. We're just able to scrape up enough runs and get a few big hits here and there. We're trying to ride this as long as possible."

Wade Miley will start for the Orioles (53-56) on Saturday, and Ausmus confirmed after Friday's game that Drew VerHagen takes the mound for his Tigers.

Miley (5-9, 5.60 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits in five innings to pick up the victory in a 10-6 win at Texas last Sunday. His pitch count jumped again, a big reason he lasted only those five innings, something that's been an issue for Miley all season.

The left-hander threw 105 pitches in those five innings.

Miley has yet to record a decision despite posting a 7.36 ERA in two career starts versus the Tigers.

VerHagen (0-1, 6.75) will be making his first start this season after being recalled from Triple-A Toledo on July 24. This will be the right-hander's second career start in 43 appearances over four seasons.

He has no record and a 20.25 ERA in two relief appearances versus the Orioles.

VerHagen is replacing All-Star Michael Fulmer, who was placed on the disabled list Thursday retroactive to Tuesday due to right elbow ulnar neuritis.

The Tigers will try to follow the emotional win that came after Upton's late grand slam Friday night.

"We're just having fun," Upton said. "We're just playing baseball. These guys come in here with energy every day. They just want to go out there and play."

The Orioles have a few questions regarding injuries and pitching. Trey Mancini did play Friday due to soreness below the left kneecap after fouling a ball off there during Thursday's loss.

Manager Buck Showalter is hoping Mancini's situation will be a short-term one because if he's not available to do anything, then Baltimore would have just two players available on the bench. That might force the Orioles to think about putting Mancini on the 10-day disabled list.

Showalter also said that struggling right-hander Chris Tillman does not have any injury and is throwing the ball just fine --with the problem being command, especially on his fastball.

The Orioles have six starters at their disposal now and could even go to relief pitcher Miguel Castro. Tillman will pitch either in the rotation or out of the bullpen, Showalter said, but wouldn't go any farther.

Tillman is 1-7 with an 8.10 ERA in 15 starts. He won his first start but is 0-7 in his next 14.

Also, catcher Caleb Joseph hurt his hand when getting hit by a Justin Verlander pitch in the seventh. But the umpires ruled it a swing, even though Joseph got hit, and he therefore struck out.

Still, Joseph's hand was bothering him later, and he might be doubtful for Saturday.

"I was going to have to pinch-hit for Caleb there if the game went on," Showalter said after Friday's loss. "His hand, his throwing hand, got an X-ray on that, was negative. That's good news."