Tigers seek end of skid as they host Pirates

The Detroit Tigers will try to snap a four-game losing streak on Wednesday behind a starter seeking his first major league victory.

Spencer Turnbull will make his eighth major league appearance and seventh career start for the slumping Tigers when they host Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Starling Marte hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning as the Pirates won the series opener 5-3 on Tuesday.

A struggling offense has been Detroit's biggest issue. The Tigers have scored four or fewer runs in 14 of their 16 games. They scored a ninth-inning run to tie the game on Tuesday and had the potential winning run at second base with no outs but left him stranded.

"For the most part, we had good at-bats," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We've just got to keep battling. It's tough. It's really frustrating."

The Tigers may be trying too hard to get their offense going. Third base coach Dave Clark waved home Gordon Beckham from second base on a single with no outs in the third. Beckham was ruled out on a close play.

"When you're not scoring runs, you try to force the issue," Gardenhire said. "That happens sometimes. He's just being aggressive and no one's probably more upset about it than him, that somebody got thrown out at home with no outs. I can promise you that."

Turnbull (0-2, 4.80 ERA) hasn't given up more than three earned runs in his three starts this season but the right-hander only lasted four innings against Cleveland on April 11.

His mound opponent, right-hander Trevor Williams (1-0, 2.45 ERA), has gone at least six innings in each of his three starts. He wound up with a no-decision in his last outing, when he held Washington to two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Williams has dominated the Tigers in two career starts. He won both while giving up no runs and just one hit in 13 innings.

Detroit second baseman Josh Harrison went 0-for-5 from the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Harrison was facing his former team for the first time. He played eight seasons with Pittsburgh before signing with the Tigers as a free agent.

The Tigers' regular shortstop, Jordy Mercer, is on the 10-day injured list with a quad injury. Mercer spent seven seasons with the Pirates.

"I told him and Jordy when they went over that they have the opportunity to live a fantasy. As a kid, I always wanted to wear the Old English D on my chest," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle told MLB.com. "So, I'll have some envy watching them wear the uniform, but I'll look forward to our guys getting them out."

Harrison is off to a very slow start, batting just .123.

"We love Josh. But I hope to get him out every time he comes up to the plate," Hurdle said. "And then we'll pull for him like heck the rest of the season, until he comes to our place."

Pirates first baseman Josh Bell carries a six-game hitting streak into Wednesday's contest. He had a single in four at-bats on Tuesday.

--Field Level Media