DETROIT – Kyle Ryan is set to make his second start of the season Tuesday as the Tigers go for a mini two-game home sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.
The Tigers pounded Cincinnati Monday night, winning 6-0 behind a two-hit shutout from Anibal Sanchez. J.D. Martinez hit a home run for the third straight game and Miguel Cabrera drove in two runs with a double to lead the Tigers' offense.
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Ryan, who has never pitched against the Reds, comes into the game with three earned runs allowed in 13 innings. The lefty tossed seven two-run innings on June 5, his only start of the season, but settled for a no-decision.
When Shane Greene got bounced after three innings against the Cubs Wednesday, Ryan came on in relief and allowed five hits and just one unearned run over three innings of work.
The Reds will sent out this starting nine against Ryan:
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Ivan De Jesus, LF
Joey Votto, 1B
Todd Frazier, 3B
Jay Bruce, DH
Brayan Pena, C
Chris Dominguez, RF
Billy Hamilton, CF
Kris Negron, SS
The Red will send a rookie of their own to the mound, 23-year-old right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who carries a 4.01 ERA into his first matchup with the Tigers. He's coming off of his worst outing of the season, in which he surrendered five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Cubs.
Lorenzen has been victimized by the long ball this season, allowing eight homers in his seven starts. Walks are also an issue, as he's issued 25 free passes in 42 2/3 innings (over five walks per nine innings).
Lorenzen's 6.18 FIP (fielding independent pitching) suggests he's a much worse pitcher than the one entering the game with a 4.01 ERA. If Cincinnati's defense, which committed two errors and looked lost in Monday's game, continues to struggle, it could be a tough night for Lorenzen.
Here's the Tigers' lineup to start Tuesday night's game:
Anthony Gose, CF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
J.D. Martinez, RF
Tyler Collins, DH
Nick Castellanos, 3B
James McCann, C
Jose Iglesias, SS
Martinez has been on fire over the last three games, going 6-12 with three homers, a double and seven RBI. Cabrera is on a similar roll, going 9-15 in his last four games with two homers, two doubles, five runs scored and eight RBI.
A two-game winning streak has brought the Tigers even with the second-place Minnesota Twins in the AL Central Division. Both teams trail the AL-leading Kansas City Royals by three games.
Following Tuesdays game, the Tigers and Reds will head to Cincinnati for two games in Great American Ballpark.