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Tigers hope Price can rebound against Indians

Sep 1, 2014 - 2:46 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - David Price tries to bounce back from the worst start of his career and pitch the Detroit Tigers into sole possession of first place in the American League Central on Monday when they start a four-game series with the red-hot Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Detroit comes into the set trailing the Kansas City Royals by just a half-game in the division. A win and a Royals loss to Texas would put the Tigers all alone in first place for the first time since Aug. 10.

But first the Tigers are going to need Price to recover from an ugly loss to the New York Yankees his last time out that saw him become the first pitcher in 25 years to allow nine consecutive hits.

Price lasted just two innings in that one and surrendered eight runs on 12 hits, dropping him to 12-10 on the year to go along with a 3.32 ERA. He had allowed just one hit over eight innings his previous time out and retired the final 23 batters he had faced.

"Didn't get enough outs," said Price, who had allowed nine hits in a game in just 20 of his previous 174 Major League starts. "Just didn't have it."

Price stands a good chance at getting himself back on track Monday, as he is 5-1 in seven starts versus the Indians with a 3.12 ERA.

Getting the ball for the Indians on Monday will be righty Corey Kluber, who has lost his last two starts. Kluber was defeated in Chicago on Wednesday, as the White Sox reached him for three runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings. He also struck out eight, but fell to 13-8 on the year with a 2.52 ERA.

He had been 7-1 with a 1.19 ERA in 10 starts before his last two losses.

Kluber is 2-4 in 10 games (9 starts) against the Tigers with a 4.48 ERA.

Cleveland is as hot as any team in baseball, having won 13 of its last 18 games to move 3 1/2 games back of the Royals in the AL Central. The Tribe had its game with Kansas City suspended on Sunday in the 10th inning following a rain delay with them leading 4-2.

The teams will resume the contest on Sept. 22 in Cleveland before the start of a three-game series between the division rivals.

"As weird as it is, you put this in your rearview mirror and move on quickly," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said.

Detroit, meanwhile, has won six of nine, but split a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox, falling 6-2 in Sunday's finale at U.S. Cellular Field.

Rick Porcello (15-9) failed in his attempt to become the AL's first 16-game winner this season after being tagged for six runs and 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings. Three of those runs were unearned, however, due to four errors the Tigers committed on the day.

"We made it tough on Rick today," said Ian Kinsler. "We gotta keep that ball rolling. We're in a race so we have to go into Cleveland ready to play."

The Tigers were without Miguel Cabrera, who missed the game due to a sore right ankle. It's unclear if he will be in the lineup on Monday.

Detroit and Cleveland will meet seven times in the final month of the season. The Tribe holds a 7-5 edge thus far.