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Tigers aim to stop slide in opener with White Sox

Jun 5, 2015 - 3:50 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The slumping Detroit Tigers look to avoid an eighth straight loss on Friday night when they begin a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox.

The Tigers have lost seven in a row for the first time since April 25-May 2, 2011 and were just swept in three games by the Oakland Athletics, losing a 7-5 decision in Thursday's finale. Though it did mark just the second time in 10 games that Detroit scored more than three runs, four of those on Thursday didn't come until the ninth inning.

Miguel Cabrera drove in a run and has reached base in 23 straight games, with a hit in six in a row, and Tyler Collins hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning.

However, starter Shane Green was hit with his third straight losing start after yielding six runs -- four earned -- on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings.

"We're in a slump right now as a team," said Greene. "As the starting pitcher, if I go out there and set a good tempo, it's a lot easier for these guys to get hot with the bats. It's tough when I'm putting them in a hole and they're just trying to climb out of it the whole game."

Detroit's skid has the club just one game over .500 at 28-27 and now five games back of first place in the AL Central.

Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes exited after two innings due to flu-like symptoms, leading to Daniel Fields making his season debut. It is unknown if Cespedes will be able to start tonight.

Kyle Ryan gets the start for the Tigers, his first of the season and second of his career.

Ryan was scheduled to make a spot start on May 27 against Oakland after Alfredo Simon was placed on the bereavement list, but did not make it to the ballpark in time to start. He instead relieved Alex Wilson, who got the start, and pitched three-plus innings in his seventh career appearance. He yielded a run on three hits and three walks and earned the victory in his season debut.

The 23-year-old lefty's lone previous career start actually came against the White Sox on Aug. 30 of last year. He earned a win with six scoreless innings of five-hit ball, walking two and striking out one.

The White Sox return home tonight after a 5-6 road trip. They had a chance to record a winning mark on the swing, but lost the finale of a three-game set with the Texas Rangers 2-1 in 11 innings on Thursday.

Gordon Beckham drove in the only run of the game for the White Sox. Starter Carlos Rodon gave up a run on five hits while walking three and striking out 10 in six innings.

"We wish we would have gotten this one tonight," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "They battled."

Jose Quintana tries to snap his three-start losing streak tonight for the White Sox. He has pitched well enough to win two of those games, however, but Chicago has plated only two runs total over the three games.

Quintana was on the losing end of a 3-0 decision against Houston on Saturday as he allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander gave up five hits and did walk four batters while striking out seven, falling to 2-6 on the year with a 4.33 earned run average.

Tonight will mark Quintana's 11th career start against the Tigers and he is 4-3 with a 4.30 ERA against them. That includes a pair of losses this season in which he has allowed 11 runs and 14 hits over a total of nine innings.

The Tigers and White Sox split their six meetings prior to this set, with each club winning two of three at home.