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Tigers dealing with bullpen issues, face off with Indians

Jul 28, 2008 - 2:14 PM Detroit (53-51) at Cleveland (45-58) 7:05 pm. EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Detroit Tigers hope their bullpen issues don't impede the progress they've been making in the American League Central Division.

The Tigers likely will be without the services of new closer Fernando Rodney when they aim for a sixth straight road win in the opener of a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians on Monday.

After a slow start, Detroit is 29-15 in its last 44 games and is just 6 1/2 games behind Chicago (59-44) in the division after Sunday's 6-4 victory over the White Sox.

Zach Miner threw six solid innings and Curtis Granderson homered, but the win was overshadowed by the loss of setup man Joel Zumaya and the laborious effort from Rodney.

Zumaya left with tightness in his right triceps, and Rodney - who replaced an ineffective Todd Jones as closer - threw 42 pitches in 1 2/3 innings, meaning he could be unavailable vs. Cleveland, which has lost four of five and is in last place in the division.

The Tigers look for another strong performance from starter Kenny Rogers (8-6, 4.48 ERA), who has won two straight outings. Rogers allowed one run and four hits in six innings of a 7-1 win over Kansas City on Tuesday.

Cleveland, which is trying to avoid a third straight loss here, counters with Paul Byrd (4-10, 5.28). The righthander picked up his first win since June 6 on Monday by limiting Anaheim to one run and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.