(SportsNetwork.com) - Rick Porcello will try to avoid a fourth straight losing decision on Wednesday night when the Detroit Tigers continue a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The right-handed Porcello's skid includes a relief appearance on Aug. 10, when he allowed a run in the 19th inning versus Toronto. He then made the start versus Seattle on Friday and was tagged for six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits over six frames, striking out three without a walk.
Porcello is now 13-8 on the year with a 3.28 earned run average.
The 25-year-old has a 3.96 ERA in six previous meetings with the Rays, producing a 2-3 record. He lost to Tampa Bay and current teammate David Price on July 6, allowing seven runs over 5 2/3 innings.
Porcello allowed three runs in the first frame, including a two-run homer to Matt Joyce, and was also taken deep by Desmond Jennings in the sixth inning.
The Rays won the final three of that four-game set in Detroit, with Price securing the series win by besting Porcello.
Price, though, landed in Detroit on July 31 in a three-team deal that netted the Rays starter Drew Smyly and minor leaguer Willy Adames from the Tigers as well as infielder Nick Franklin from the Seattle Mariners.
Price's fourth start with Detroit will come in Thursday's finale.
The Rays hope to be even in this set ahead of that reunion and will start 24- year-old Jake Odorizzi tonight. Odorizzi has won consecutive starts and five of his last six outings, getting to 9-9 on the year with a 3.82 ERA.
The right-hander threw six scoreless innings to beat the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 9, then held Texas to a pair of runs while fanning seven over seven innings on Thursday.
Odorizzi has never faced the Tigers, who won last night's opener 8-6 in 11 innings.
In a back-and-forth contest, Detroit plated three runs in the top of the 11th, with Victor Martinez drawing a bases-loaded walk, Torii Hunter scoring on a wild pitch and Bryan Holaday lifting a sacrifice fly.
The big frame proved big as Even Longoria singled home Ben Zobrist with two outs in the bottom of the frame, leaving runners on first and second, but Joe Nathan rebounded to strike out Sean Rodriguez and end the game.
J.D. Martinez hit a solo home run while Ian Kinsler added two hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who have won four of their last six games to remain in a virtual tie with Seattle for the league's second wild card spot.
Detroit is also two games behind Kansas City for first place in the AL Central.
Max Scherzer tossed seven innings in the start and allowed four runs on four hits along with three walks while striking out nine. Jim Johnson picked up the win after tossing a scoreless 10th inning.
"Max and the offense picked it up as the game went on," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.
James Loney went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run as the Rays lost their third straight game despite leading 4-0 after the second inning.
"Got a nice lead, we gave that back up, fought back into it, had opportunities to win it," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
Chris Archer was touched for four runs -- one earned -- on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. Grant Balfour allowed all three runs in the 11th to absorb the loss.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
