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Bonderman aims to halt Tigers' four-game slide

May 29, 2007 - 1:55 PM Detroit (29-21) at Tampa Bay (21-28) 7:10 pm EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) - Like most good teams, the Detroit Tigers rely on a deep bullpen. However, with the injury bug biting hard lately, it may be starters' turn to provide some relief.

The Tigers continue their series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.

With reliable setup men Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney on the disabled list, the bullpen has been at least partly responsible for Detroit's four-game skid. During the slide, the bullpen has posted a 8.38 ERA. Closer Todd Jones also squandered a ninth-inning lead in a 6-5 loss to the Devil Rays on Monday.

Detroit will rely on Jeremy Bonderman (3-0, 3.57 ERA), who last lost to the Devil Rays more than four seasons ago. He has limited the Devil Rays to a .187 batting average in his five outings - including three starts - helping him manage a 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA over his career against his opponent.

Bonderman yielded just four hits over eight outstanding innings in a 12-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Thursday.

Tampa Bay will counter with Casey Fossum (3-4, 7.15), who is 2-1 with a 4.28 ERA in eight lifetime appearance, including five starts, against the Tigers.

In his last outing, the lefthander allowed three runs - only one earned - over 5 1/3 innings in a 5-1 loss to Seattle on Wednesday. The 45 runs Fossum has surrendered over his nine starts this season is the fourth-highest mark in the majors.