Detroit Tigers see season collapsing down the stretch
DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Tigers aren't used to being in the position of only playing for pride.
They aren't good at it, either.
Friday, after a road trip where they gave up 61 runs in six games, the Tigers returned to Comerica Park and were routed 8-1 by the Cleveland Indians.
Instead of playing for their fifth straight AL Central title, or even a wild-card spot, it might be too late for the Tigers to even save manager Brad Ausmus' job.
"We're not where we expected to be and we're not where we wanted to be," said Bryan Holaday. "This is definitely tough, mentally, on everyone."
Detroit has lost seven of eight and been outscored 71-21 in that stretch as Ausmus tries to piece together a pitching staff. That got significantly tougher after the trades of David Price and Joakim Soria and injuries to Anibal Sanchez and Daniel Norris.
"We traded David Price and he's a horse who generally goes deep into games and saves your bullpen," Ausmus said. "Sanchie goes down, and he was one of the guys we were counting on, and we're basically replacing those guys with rookies, and then Norris goes down, and he was the top guy in the Price trade. It has all kind of snowballed."
Kyle Lobstein (3-6), who had been sidelined since May 23 with a shoulder injury, allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.
"Well, we got the first one out of the way," Lobstein said. "There were some good things that happened today, but I just fell behind too many hitters and gave them good pitches to hit."
For the second time this year, it was light-hitting journeyman Jerry Sands who beat up the Tigers. In his Cleveland debut, he had two doubles and four RBIs against Price, and on Friday, he homered, tripled and scored twice.
He's hitting .463 against the Tigers this season, with four extra-base hits in 13 at-bats, and just .198 against the rest of the major leagues.
"I don't do anything differently against them than anyone else," he said. "It is just one of those things that you can't explain."
Josh Tomlin pitched his third career complete game, for the Indians, who have won 10 of 14 as they try to stay in the American League wild-card race.
"That was just fun to watch," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Jerry was getting us the big hits, and Josh was just sending them right back to the dugout. He had all his stuff, and he was just pounding the strike zone."
Tomlin (4-1) was moved up a day after scheduled starter Corey Kluber couldn't overcome a hamstring strain sustained in a bullpen session earlier in the week. He allowed one run and a walk while striking out six. It was his third complete game, with the last one coming June 28, 2014 in Seattle.
Tomlin was only making his fifth start of the season after spring shoulder surgery.
"We've known all year that we had a chance to get some serious help down the stretch from Josh," Francona said. "We wanted to be as patient as possible, because we knew if we let him get ready, he could do this for us."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: Francona expects Kluber to miss at least 10 days. If RHP Carlos Carrasco (shoulder) gets though a Saturday bullpen with no setbacks, he will replace Kluber in the rotation.
Tigers: SS Jose Iglesias will be out for at least two weeks after being hit on the middle finger of his right hand while trying to bunt Thursday night in Kansas City. Initial x-rays were negative, but a follow-up CT scan on Friday showed the fracture. Detroit recalled SS Dixon Machado from Triple-A Toledo to fill in.
UP NEXT
The teams play the second of their three-game weekend series Saturday night, with Danny Salazar (12-7, 3.27) facing Alfredo Simon (11-9, 5.09). Despite his winning record, Simon is tied for the major-league lead for most starts allowing six or more earned runs (6, tied with Jeff Samardzjia) and most allowing six more runs (7, tied with three others).
