The Detroit Tigers earned their second straight series win Wednesday night with a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Keider Montero matched his career high of eight strikeouts, and Hao-Yu Lee’s three-run home run in the fourth inning helped lead the offense to the victory.
The Motor City Kitties now return home to host the Kansas City Royals for a four-game American League Central showdown at Comerica Park. The visitors currently reside in the basement of the division, five and a half games behind the Tigers, but Detroit can take nothing for granted in their quest for a playoff spot.
Opening the series is right-hander Troy Melton, who has really found his rhythm in his last five starts. Over his final 29 1/3 innings of work, the 25-year-old has posted a microscopic 0.92 ERA along with a healthy 2.56 FIP, giving up 13 hits (three home runs) and nine walks while striking out a whopping 36 batters along with one wild pitch and one hit batter.
Melton has gotten off to a slow start in the strikeout column this season, but has hit nine Ks in two straight games and has struck out at least one per inning since mid-June. Not too shabby.
For the Royals, fellow right-hander and former Tigers minor leaguer Randy Dobnak will make his fourth appearance of the season and second start since being called up from Triple-A. The 31-year-old was fairly effective but not particularly efficient in his last game against the San Diego Padres, starting and going 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits – including a solo home run – and four walks while striking out three en route to a 6-1 no-decision victory.
Here’s a look at how the two pitchers face off in the series opener Thursday night.
Detroit Tigers (48-54) vs Kansas City Royals (43-60)
Time (ET): 6.40pm
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB national site: Royals review
Average: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 103: Troy Melton (5-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. Randy Dobnak (0-0, 1.93 ERA)
