ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch walked out to the mound and removed left-handed starter Tyler Alexander with two outs in the sixth inning. He turned to rookie right-hander Drew Carlton to face Tampa Bay Rays slugger Mike Zunino.
Carlton tossed back-to-back 79 mph sliders, the second of which was blasted to center field for a two-run home run. Zunino crushed the ball 431 feet and over the wall, giving Tampa Bay a commanding four-run lead.
The Rays handed the Tigers a 5-2 loss in Thursday's series opener at Tropicana Field. Less than a week ago, the Tigers (70-77) won two of three games against the American League-best Rays at Comerica Park.