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DETROIT TIGERS (63-74) vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS (67-70)

LHP Matt Boyd (1-3, 8.36) vs. RHP Erasmo Ramirez (10-5, 3.84)
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers picked up a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in the series opener on Monday at Comerica Park. Rajai Davis hit a pair of home runs and had three RBI, while James McCann also hit a two-run homer and went 3×4. Ian Kinsler added a pair of hits, including a double, in the victory. Al Alburquerque pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his fourth win of the season, while Bruce Rondon pitched 0.2 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and two walks to record his fourth save. The Tigers and Rays play game two of their three-game series tonight. Following the series vs. the Rays, the Tigers embark on their penultimate road trip of 2015, traveling to Cleveland for four games (September 10-13) and Minnesota for three games (September 14-16).

ROSTER UPDATE: The Tigers today announced the following roster moves: ● The Tigers have recalled the contracts of lefthanded pitcher Ian Krol, infielder Jefry Marte and outfielder Steven Moya from Triple A Toledo. Krol pitched in 28 games with the Mud Hens and had a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.30 ERA (31.1IP/8ER) and 34 strikeouts. Marte hit .275 (98×357) with 15 home runs and 65 RBI with Toledo, while Moya batted .240 (120×500) with 20 home runs and 74 RBI. ● The Tigers have purchased the contract of infielder Josh Wilson from Triple A Toledo. Wilson hit .252 (66×262) with three home runs and 30 RBI for the Mud Hens. ● To create space on the 40-man roster for Wilson, the Tigers have designated the contract of outfielder Daniel Fields for assignment.

DAVIS GOES DEEP TWICE: Rajai Davis hit a pair of home runs in yesterday’s game, blasting a two-run shot off Drew Smyly in the third inning and hitting a go-ahead solo home run in the seventh inning off Brandon Gomes. The performance marked the second multi-homer game of Davis’ career and his first since May 18, 2012 against the New York Mets.

KINSLER PILING UP THE MULTI-HIT GAMES: Ian Kinsler went 2×4 with a double in Monday’s game to record his major league leading 54th multi-hit game of the season. Kinsler’s 54 multi-hit games are one shy of his single-season career high of 55, established in 2014. Kinsler has recorded two-or-more hits in 18 of his last 35 games and is batting .381 (53×139) with 27 runs scored, 10 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 22 RBI during the 35-game stretch.

KINSLER NEARING 1,500 HITS: Ian Kinsler enters tonight’s game with 1,498 hits. His 1,498 hits are the fourth-most among active second basemen. By reaching the 1,500 hit mark, Kinsler would become the 77th second baseman in MLB history to reach that accomplishment.

VERHAGEN ON A ROLL: Drew VerHagen pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with two hits allowed yesterday. He has now thrown eight straight scoreless outings and has not allowed a run in eight of his last nine appearances since being recalled by the Tigers on August 19. Over the nine-game stretch, VerHagen has a 0.75 ERA (12.0IP/1ER) with 10 hits allowed, five walks and six strikeouts.

Sanchez’s Little Smiles: Through the generosity of Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez and his wife Ana, the Sanchez family invites 19 guests to attend a Tigers baseball game in a grand fashion. The special evening includes tickets to the Sanchez Family’s suite, Sanchez’s Little Smiles t-shirts, ballpark fare catering and an autographed photo signed by Anibal Sanchez. The participating families are selected in partnership with local charitable organizations focused on serving the needs of families faced with the challenges of caring for children with health concerns and other adversities. Sanchez’s Little Smiles provides families the opportunity to escape their daily struggles and enjoy an evening together while watching Tigers baseball at Comerica Park. On September 8, families from Children’s Hospital of Michigan – craniofacial unit will attend the game through Sanchez’s Little Smiles. The guests of Sanchez’s Little Smiles have the opportunity to watch batting practice from the field and meet Anibal Sanchez.

TONIGHT’S TIDBITS

• Wayne State University Night: The Detroit Tigers along with FOX Sports Detroit are hosting the fifth installment of their University Days series at Comerica Park. Wayne State cheerleaders will provide on-field pregame entertainment. The Wayne State cheerleaders and dance team will accompany the DTE Energy Squad during the seventh inning stretch. All fans who purchased the Wayne State University Days ticket package will receive a Detroit Tigers baseball hat in Wayne State colors and a donation will be made to the Wayne State University General Scholarship Fund.
• The national anthem will be performed by the Wayne State University Band along with vocalist Dr. Emery Stephens.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 63-74/ Streak: W1
Game #138 / Home #70
Home: 32-37 / Road 31-37

TIGERS VS. RAYS

2015 Record: 2-2
2015 at Home: 1-0
2015 at Tampa Bay: 1-2
All-Time Record: 65-62
All-Time at Home: 33-39
All-Time at Comerica Park: 30-25
All-Time at Tampa Bay: 32-33

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: 3-7
Last 15 games: 4-11
Last 20 games: 7-13

This content was originally published on September 8, 2015. It was delivered electronically to specific media contacts and the entire Detroit Tigers front office staff, as well as being available to media in the press box and distributed to fans at program stands around Comerica Park.