 allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings to win for the third win time in four decisions. Shawn Armstrong, Paul Fry, Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens combined for one-hit relief to drop the Orioles' bullpen ERA to 2.73 since Aug. 20.Jordan Zimmermann (1-11) dropped to 0-2 in seven starts since beating the Los Angeles Angels on July 29. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five inningsMancini hit an RBI single in the first.After throwing out Jordy Mercer at home plate from second base to end the fourth, Stevie Wilkerson doubled leading off the fifth to end a streak of eight straight outs by Zimmermann. Stewart homered off the right- field foul pole for a 3-0 lead and, three batters later, Chance Sisco scored on Mason Williams' groundout.Mancini hit a two-run homer in the seventh against Jose Cisnero.Mercer and Willi Castro had RBI singles in the sixth.K KINGSDetroit entered with a big league-leading 1,459 strikeouts but Brooks did not fan any of his 16 batters. Baltimore's bullpen struck out six.ALL GOOD HEREAt the park for the annual team photo, Tigers controlling owner Christopher Ilitch said he was satisfied with the organization's progress this season.''I believe we're on the path,'' Ilitch said. ''How much longer is it going to take? How much further do we have to progress? I can't answer that.'' COMERICA CRATERINGDetroit dropped to 19-53 at Comerica Park. The Tigers are trying to avoid breaking the 1939 St. Louis Browns' record of 59 home losses and Detroit's franchise record of 58 in 2003.ALMOST VICTORSThe Michigan baseball team was honored before the game and Jimmy Kerr, a 33rd round draft pick and third baseman in the Tigers farm system, threw out a wild ceremonial first pitch that nearly hit his teammates behind home plate. Michigan lost to Vanderbilt in the College World Series championship.UP NEXTOrioles RHP Gabriel Ynoa (1-8, 5.79 ERA) goes into Saturday's outing 0-7 with a 6.48 ERA in 10 starts this year. Tigers LHP Daniel Norris (3-12, 4.72) has one win in his last 11 decisions.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports)
Orioles, Tigers bring fewest wins into seriesFLMThe only major league teams without at least 50 wins square off this weekend.It will be a case of the resistible force versus the moveable object when the Baltimore Orioles visit the Detroit Tigers for a four-game series.Detroit won two of three in Baltimore in late May. The Tigers (43-102) have won just one series since then, when they took two of three against the Los Angeles Angels in late July.Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (1-10, 6.27 ERA) is scheduled to start the series opener Friday. He had given up two or fewer earned runs in four starts since recovering from a cervical spasm before Oakland racked up six runs in five innings against him Saturday. His only victory this season came during that series win over the Angels on July 29.He's 4-4 with a 5.94 ERA in nine career starts against the Orioles.Detroit was swept by the New York Yankees in a doubleheader Thursday. One positive was a two-hit game by rookie catcher Jake Rogers in the opener.Rogers, who was acquired in the Justin Verlander deal with Houston two years ago, had just two hits in his previous 52 at-bats, spanning 16 starts. He's getting an extended audition to see if he'll be part of the team's plans next season."He's got to stay in the strike zone," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We know what teams are trying to do to him. He's got to realize that and understand it. (Thursday) he had a lot better grip on it. His swings were a lot better and he just missed one (a long double). Hopefully, that's a step in the right direction for him." Right-hander Aaron Brooks (4-8, 6.21 ERA) will make his 12th start with Baltimore (47-99) after beginning the season in Oakland. He's 2-5 with a 7.54 ERA since being claimed off waivers.He pitched six scoreless innings against Washington in late August, but his first two September starts haven't gone well. He allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings at Kansas City while walking four, then surrendered seven runs (six earned) in 2 2/3 innings against Texas on Saturday.In two career appearances against the Tigers, both in relief, he gave up nine runs and 10 hits, including two home runs. One of those appearances was on May 16, while he was with Oakland. Brooks allowed three runs in one inning in a game the A's won 17-3.Center fielder Austin Hays drove in a run during the Orioles' 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Hays had a three-hit game the previous night. He'll continue to get steady playing time the next few weeks after hitting 10 homers in 59 games at Triple-A Norfolk."Now it's about getting major league at-bats and continuing to develop," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "Once you get here, it's not easy to stay here. You've got to continue to work and improve, and there's going to be adjustments made to him." Hays, 24, got a taste of the major leagues in 2017 and has battled through injuries to get back."I think any time we bring anybody up, we love to see their tools, and we love to see guys have success," Hyde said. "Austin, kind of unfairly, sat for five or six days before he got here. But he's settling in ... I like the way he uses the whole field." --Field Level Media
Looking for More Picks?
You can browse all the individual handicapper picks below.
Baltimore Orioles
Detroit Tigers
Pick Center
MLB
FINAL (9/13/2019)
TheCashmanWins
