DETROIT TIGERS (18-11) vs. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (18-10)
LHP David Price (3-1, 2.93) vs. RHP Yordano Ventura (2-2, 4.94)
Friday, May 8, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers salvaged the series finale against the White Sox with a 4-1 win on Thursday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field. Kyle Lobstein earned his third win of the season, allowing one unearned run on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Joakim Soria notched his 11th save of the season, striking out all four batters he faced. Offensively, Victor Martinez had three hits and drove in a run, while Ian Kinsler was 2×5 with a run scored. Miguel Cabrera finished the game 1×3 with two runs scored and a RBI. The Tigers begin a six-game homestand tonight as they open a three-game series vs. the Royals. Following the three games vs. Kansas City, Detroit remains at home to face Minnesota in a three-game series.
QUALITY WORK FROM LOBSTEIN: Kyle Lobstein recorded his third quality start of the season yesterday at Chicago, throwing a career-long 7.2 innings and allowing one unearned run on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Lobstein has worked at least 7.0 innings in each of his last three starts. Over his last four starting assignments, Lobstein has compiled a 2-2 record with a 2.57 ERA (28.0IP/8ER), 24 hits allowed, nine walks and 12 strikeouts.
SORIA SLAMS THE DOOR: Joakim Soria earned his 11th save of the season on Thursday, striking out all four batters he faced in 1.1 innings. He became just the third Tigers pitcher since 1914 and the first since John Hiller on April 18, 1976 to record a save while striking out all four batters he retired. Soria is tied for the major league lead with 14 games finished, while his 11 saves rank second in the American League. In 14 appearances this season, Soria has a 1-0 record with 11 saves and a 1.38 ERA (13.0IP/2ER) and 11 strikeouts.
STREAKING: James McCann enters tonight’s game with a career-best, five-game hitting streak. During his five-game streak, McCann is batting .500 (9×18) with two runs scored, one double, one home run and three RBI.
THE NEED FOR SPEED: Rajai Davis recorded his seventh stolen base of the season on Thursday. The Tigers now have 26 stolen bases this season, which ranks second in the American League. Davis ranks sixth in the American League with seven stolen bases, while Anthony Gose and Jose Iglesias are tied for 11th with five stolen bases.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Tigers begin a six-game homestand tonight. Beginning with tonight’s game, Detroit will play 13 of its next 16 games at Comerica Park. The Tigers are 8-5 at home so far this season.
ALL-STAR VOTING OPEN NOW: Voting has started for Major League Baseball’s 86th All-Star Game held at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. MLB’s All-Star Balloting Program is the largest of its kind in professional sports and this year will be conducted exclusively online. Fans around the world can cast their votes for position starts 35 times by visiting tigers.com/vote. Voting is open now through July 2 and fans are encouraged to vote early and often. Last year, Miguel Cabrera was elected as the American League’s starting first baseman, marking the second time he has been selected to start an All-Star Game.
TONIGHT’S TIDBITS
- The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown out by Tigers fans Kendra Nichols and Cheryl Jansen, along with “America’s Favorite Veterinarian” Tim Hunt.
- The national anthem will be performed by Voyager Elementary School Fifth Grade Choir of Howell, Michigan.
- The game ball will be delivered by Lance Corporal Keiandre Marks from Ypsilanti, Michigan, of the United States Marine Corps.
TIGERS AT A GLANCE
Record: 18-11 / Streak: W1
Game #30 / Home #14
Home: 8-5 / Road 10-6
TIGERS VS. ROYALS
2015 Record: 2-2
2015 at Home: 0-0
2015 at Kansas City: 2-2
All-Time Record: 317-313
All-Time at Home: 166-149
All-Time at Comerica Park: 74-62
All-Time at Kansas City: 151-164
2015 GAME LOG
| Date | Site | Result | Winner/Loser/Save |
| 4/30 | KC | L, 8-1 | Duffy/Simon |
| 5/1 | KC | L, 4-1 | Young/Lobstein/Davis |
| 5/2 | KC | W, 2-1 | PRICE/Volquez |
| 5/3 | KC | W, 6-4 | Sanchez/Guthrie/Soria |
| 5/8 | DET | ||
| 5/9 | DET | ||
| 5/10 | DET | ||
| 8/4 | DET | ||
| 8/5 | DET | ||
| 8/6 | DET | ||
| 8/10 | KC | ||
| 8/11 | KC | ||
| 8/12 | KC | ||
| 9/1 | KC | ||
| 9/2 | KC | ||
| 9/3 | KC | ||
| 9/18 | DET | ||
| 9/19 | DET | ||
| 9/20 | DET |
STREAKS
Last five games: 3-2
Last 10 games: 5-5
Last 15 games: 7-8
Last 20 games: 10-10
This content was originally published on May 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.
