video thumbnail

TB@DET: Smyly solid, fans four in first MLB start

While Drew Smyly is making his first road start of the season for the Tigers on Tuesday, it could feel more like a home game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

That's because the Arkansas native will have loads of friends and family attending the game, only his second Major League start.

Smyly lasted four innings in his Major League debut last Thursday against the Rays, giving up just one run on four hits in the no-decision, striking out four and walking three.

He escaped a bases loaded, no-out jam in the first inning, with a solo home run by Carlos Pena in the third marking the only run he surrendered.

Trying to get that first Major League win under his belt, Smyly will be up against veteran Bruce Chen.

While Chen has had two solid starts this season, he's still looking for his first win.

Starting off the season with six shutout innings against the Angels, the left-hander followed that up with a five-inning outing against the A's, giving up two earned runs on four hits. He also struck out three in a game the Royals lost, 5-4, in 12 innings.

"Guys had some good at-bats, but it was a bit of an odd game," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "It looked for a while there we had it lined up."

Tigers: Fister throws with no setbacks
Right-hander Doug Fister, who has been on the disabled list since April 8 with a left costochondral strain in his rib cage, threw 10 fastballs of a mound at Kauffman Stadium Monday with no setbacks.

"He threw today and felt good," manager Jim Leyland said. "A little stiff, but he felt good. It's just a process."

• Catcher Gerald Laird and reliever Octavio Dotel, who played for the World Series champion Cardinals last year, are scheduled to receive their championship rings on Sunday, with their former manager Tony La Russa coming to Detroit for a special delivery presentation.

"I heard [the ring] is really nice," Laird said. "It's going to be fun."

Royals: Gordon tabbed as spokesperson
It was announced by Major League Baseball on Monday that left fielder Alex Gordon has been tabbed as this year's spokesperson for the MLB All-Star FanFest that will be held July 6-10 at the Kansas City Convention Center/Bartle Hall.

"I'm honored and privileged to do it," Gordon said. "I think George Brett is doing something, too, and we're all excited the All-Star Game is in Kansas City, so whatever I can do to help out with the community and the team, I'm happy to do it."

George Brett, the Royals' Hall of Famer, is the All-Star Ambassador for Kansas City's third All-Star Game, its first since 1973.

Worth Noting
• The Tigers have won 11 of the club's last 16 games against the Royals, dating back to May 13, 2011.

• Since Leyland took over as manager of the Tigers in 2006, Detroit has posted a 63-46 record against the Royals, including a 36-19 record at Kauffman Stadium.

• Miguel Cabrera is 9-for-18 against Chen with two doubles, three home runs and seven RBIs.

MLB.com Comments