TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:

ON TO DETROIT — Tampa Bay was unable to complete a three-game sweep of New York-AL, dropping Wednesday’s series finale in the Bronx by a 7-2 final…SS Wander Franco
(1-for-4, HR, 2RBI) opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning, but the Rays were held scoreless over the remainder of the contest…LHP Shane McClanahan fell to 11-2 after allowing a season-high-tying five runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts across 4.0 innings.

LHP Jake Diekman (1.0IP, 1H, 2SO) entered the game with 699 career strikeouts and fanned DJ LeMahieu to reach No. 700…he is one of four active pitchers who have pitched exclusively in a relief role to record 700+ strikeouts, joining TEX Aroldis Chapman, BOS Kenley Jansen and PHI Craig Kimbrel.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS — Yesterday, the Rays placed Shane McClanahan on the 15- day injured list due to left-forearm tightness…earlier today, Tampa Bay recalled infielder Curtis Mead from Triple-A Durham.

Mead, 22, has played in 46 games for Durham this season, batting .291 (52-for-179) with 16 doubles, two triples, 3 HR, 28 RBI and 27 walks against 31 strikeouts… this includes a .355/.460/.538 (33-for-93) line with 10 doubles over his last 24 games since 6/30…acquired by Tampa Bay on 11/20/19 from Philadelphia in exchange for LHP Cristopher Sánchez, the Australian native is rated the No. 31 overall prospect by MLB.com.

Mead would become the 34th Australian born player to appear in the majors and the first to make his MLB debut since BAL Alex Wells on 6/26/21 vs. Toronto.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK — Tonight marks the 19th time a rookie pitcher will start a game against the Rays this season…those rookie starters have pitched to a combined
7.54 ERA (80.0IP, 67ER) while allowing 21 home runs…most recently, the Rays tagged NYY Jhony Brito for five runs, including four homers, across 4.0 innings on 7/31 at Yankee Stadium.

ON THE OFFENSIVE — The Rays have scored 5+ plus runs in three of their last four games after doing so just twice in their previous 14 games from 7/15-7/26.

Yandy Díaz is slashing .333/.416/.556 (22-for-66) with four doubles, three homers and 13 RBI over his last 18 games dating back to 7/6…he has scored a run in four straight games, one shy of his season-high streak (2x, last 6/20-25).

In eight games since 7/25, Brandon Lowe is batting .367 (11-for-30) with 4 HR and 10 RBI.

IT’S A WANDERFUL LIFE — Wander Franco has hit safely in each of his last six games, slashing .348/.444/.826 (8-for-23) with one triple, 3 HR, 4 RBI, one steal and four walks against just one strikeout…the current six-game run comes on the heels of a 14-game stretch from 7/8-26 in which Franco went 6-for-51 (.118).

Franco has scored a run in six consecutive games, tied with DET Javier Báez for the longest active run in the majors…it marks the third-longest such streak of his
career behind an 11-game run from 8/15-27, 2021 and a seven-game stretch from 8/6-13, 2021.

He has homered six times in his last 32 games dating back to 6/24 after hitting four home runs across 63 games from 4/10-6/21…he opened the 2023 campaign with four home runs in nine games from 3/30-4/9.

POWER SURGE — Tampa Bay has launched 12 home runs over its last six games, the most in the AL over that timeframe (since 7/28), ahead of Houston and Toronto (10HR)…
Wander Franco (3HR), Isaac Paredes (3HR) and Brandon Lowe (3HR) have combined for nine of the 12 blasts.

The Rays have homered in six straight games for the first time since an eight-game run from 6/29-7/7.

On the season, Tampa Bay’s 162 long balls are fourth most in baseball, trailing only Los Angeles-AL (167HR) in the AL…it marks the most home runs through 111
games in club history, outpacing the 2017 Rays (159HR).

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE — Tampa Bay is 16-4 (.800) against the AL Central, recording a +56 (125-69) run differential…it marks the best winning pct. against the division by any AL club, ahead of Texas (17-5, .773)…the Rays opened the year with a nine-game winning streak against the division, tying their longest streak against the AL Central in club history (also: 6/29-7/11, 2013).

Yandy Díaz has reached base safely in 12 of 13 games against the AL Central this season, slashing .467/.538/.667 (21-for-45) with three doubles, 2 HR, 6 RBI and seven walks against six strikeouts…min. 40 AB against AL Central opponents, his .467 AVG leads all MLB hitters, ahead of ATL Michael Harris II (.465).

EYE OF THE TIGER — Randy Arozarena has hit safely in six straight games against Detroit dating back to 8/4/22, batting .391 (9-for-23) with three doubles, one HR and 7 RBI.

In seven career games against the Tigers, Wander Franco is 9-for-22 (.409) with three doubles, one HR, 5 RBI, two steals and three walks against one strikeout.

In 17 games opposite the Tigers, Harold Ramírez is batting .328 (19-for-58) with four doubles, one HR and 5 RBI.

Josh Lowe has gone 3-for-6 (.500) with three doubles in two games vs. Detroit this year.

ROAD TRIPPIN’ — The Rays continue a nine-game, 10-day road trip through Houston, New York and Detroit with tonight’s series opener at Comerica Park…with Tuesday’s win at New York-AL, Tampa Bay moved to 2-2-1 over its last five series, all of which came against opponents that are currently above the .500 mark (TEX, BAL, MIA, HOU, NYY), going 6-9 overall in that span (since 7/17).

The Rays have won back-to-back series for the first time since 6/6-11 vs. Minnesota and Texas.

Under Kevin Cash (since 2015), the Rays have been at their best during the month of August, going 136-86 (.613), the highest August winning percentage in the AL over that span, trailing only Los Angeles-NL (.650) and St. Louis (.631) in all of MLB.

MOTOR CITY MATHCUP — The Rays and Tigers kick off a three-game set tonight in Detroit…Tampa Bay swept a three-game set from 3/30-4/2 to begin the 2023 campaign.

The Rays have taken eight of their last nine games against the Tigers dating back to 5/17/22, outscoring Detroit 54-19 (+35) during that stretch.

After dropping a franchise-high-tying six straight games to Detroit from 5/21-7/3, 2016 (also 8/11/10-8/23/11), Tampa Bay has gone 24-12 (.667) against the Tigers since the beginning of the 2017 season.

TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP ZACK LITTELL (1-2, 4.85)
TONIGHT’S START — The sixth-year veteran makes fifth start/18th appearance of the season tonight in Detroit, including his fourth start/11th outing on the road…this marks his third “true” start of the season after serving in an opener/relief capacity to begin the year…has recorded a 2.61 ERA (10.1IP, 3ER) in three outings (2GS) since the All-Star break, striking out 11 without issuing a walk.

LAST TIME OUT — Littell turned in the longest outing of his career in Tampa Bay’s 8-2 win at Houston on 7/30 (5.0IP, 8H, 2ER, 4SO)…held the Astros scoreless over the first four innings, stranding five baserunners… yielded three consecutive hits in the fifth frame, including a Kyle Tucker RBI-double, but limited the damage to a pair of runs after inducing backto-back groundouts…threw a season-high 82 pitches, his most since 9/2/18 at Texas as a member of Minnesota (83).

MOTOR CITY MATCHUP — In four career relief appearances opposite Detroit, Littell has not allowed a run, going 1-0 and permitting only three hits over 4.0 innings of work…last pitched against the Tigers on 8/24/22 at Comerica Park as a member of San Francisco, recording a pair of strikeouts in a 1-2-3 eighth inning.

He is 5-1 with a 3.86 ERA (46.2IP, 20ER) over 30 career appearances (2GS) against AL Central opponents…this includes a 2.77 ERA (13.0IP, 4ER), 1.00 WHIP and .222 (10-for-45) opponent average in his last 10 appearances vs. the division dating back to 7/30/20.

THE ARSENAL — Littell primarily relies on a fastball/slider combination, throwing one of those two offerings 73.8 pct. of the time…added a sweeper to his arsenal this past offseason and has recorded a 40.0 pct. whiff rate on the offering…opponents are batting .349 (29-for-83) against his fastball/ slider and .233 (10-for-43) against his splitter/sweeper.

Over his last six games (3GS) since 7/2, opposing hitters are batting .400 (12-for-30) against his four-seam fastball and .250 (11-for-44) against his other three pitches.

ODDS AND ENDS — Littell has not walked a batter in his last nine appearances spanning 21.0 innings, recording 23 strikeouts in that span while collecting multiple strikeouts in eight of those nine games…the first three spots in the opposing order are batting .260 (13-for-50) against him, but 4-9 hitters are hitting .342 (26-for-76)…has retired 12 of his 14 batters faced in the first inning, allowing only two singles with six strikeouts.

Left-handed hitters are slashing .246/.295/.456 (14-for-57) against Littell compared to a .362/.371/.478 (25-for-69) line for right-handed batters…his career splits are more even, holding righties to a .269 average and left-handed batters to a .259 mark.

He is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA (12.1IP, 5ER) in four starts this season and 0-1 with a 5.71 ERA (17.1IP, 11ER) in 13 relief appearances.

Littell has traditionally been at his best in the second half of the season — in his career, he is 2-5 with a 5.27 ERA (94.0IP, 55ER) in 82 appearances (5GS) before the All-Star break compared to 12-2 with a 2.82 ERA (99.0IP, 31ER) in 74 outings (3GS) following the break.

SEASON RUNDOWN — Littell signed a minor league contract with Texas on 2/3 and was a non-roster invitee to Rangers Spring Training…made eight Cactus League appearances before opening the season with Triple-A Round Rock, going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA (12.0IP, 3ER) in eight relief outings… was dealt to Boston in exchange for cash considerations on 5/5 and subsequently added to the 40-man roster the following day…after pitching in two games for the Red Sox, he was designated for assignment on 5/10 before being claimed by the Rays off waivers on 5/12.

Made four appearances between 5/16-22 before the Rays placed him on the 15-day injured list on 5/24 with right shoulder fatigue… completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham from 6/6-11 and was activated on 6/14…has recorded a 3.86 ERA (23.1IP, 10ER) since returning from the IL compared to an 8.10 ERA (3.1IP, 3ER) in four games as a Ray prior to his IL stint.

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS EARN SERIES SPLIT IN PITTSBURGH: The Tigers defeated the Pirates, 6-3, on Wednesday to split the series. Zack Short went 2×3 with a double and three RBI, while Matt Vierling added two doubles and scored twice. Riley Greene and Jake Rogers each hit solo homers in the victory. Eduardo Rodriguez started for Detroit and picked up his seventh win of the season, giving up two runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 6.0 innings. José Cisnero and Jason Foley each pitched a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. Tyler Holton entered with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth inning and struck out the only batter he faced to earn his first big league save.

ROSTER MOVES: The Tigers have announced the following roster moves:
*Claimed LHP Andrew Vasquez off waivers from Philadelphia

*To make room for Vasquez on the 40-man roster, designated INF/OF Nick Solak for assignment

GET SHORTY: Zack Short came off the bench in Wednesday’s game and recorded a pair of hits, including a double, and tied a career high with three RBI. Short has excelled in pinch-hit situations this season, going 5×11 with a double, a homer and five RBI. After having an 0x17 skid from July 7-19, Short is 9×21 with three doubles, a home run and eight RBI over his last 10 games.

COMING THROUGH IN A PINCH: The Tigers had a pair of clutch hits in pinch-hit situations in Wednesday’s game at Pittsburgh as Zack Short knocked a two-run single and Jake Rogers hit the first pinch-hit homer of his career. For the season, Detroit has had a Major League leading 131 plate appearances by pinch hitters, its most
in a season since having 170 in 1990.

VIERLING NAMED TIGERS NOMINEE FOR MLBPAA HEART & HUSTLE AWARD: Matt Vierling has been named the Tigers nominee for the 2023 Heart and Hustle Award, as announced by the MLB Players Alumni Association. It is the only award in MLB voted on by former players. The nominees are chosen based on their passion, desire and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. In his first season with the Tigers, Vierling has played in 85 games, slashing .273/.335/.397 with 12 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 26 RBI.

AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers tonight begin a seven-game homestand, which includes three games vs. Tampa Bay (August 4-6) and four games vs. Minnesota (August 7-10). Detroit is 22-30 at Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .241/.308/.372 at home, while the pitching staff has a 4.73 ERA (478.0IP/251ER).

TIGERS AND RAYS: The Tigers and Rays resume their season series tonight. The two teams faced each other to open the 2023 season with Tampa Bay completing a three-game sweep. Detroit went 2-5 against the Rays last season, including a 1-3 record at Comerica Park.

TIGERS ON THE IL:

• LHP Tyler Alexander (left lat/shoulder strain, 60-day IL on July 4, retroactive to July 3)
• LHP Matthew Boyd (left elbow sprain, 60-day IL on June 27)
• RHP Mason Englert (left hip tightness, 15-day IL on July 24, retroactive to July 23)
• OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 60-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
• RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
• RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
• RHP Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort, 60-day IL on May 12, retroactive to May 7)
• RHP Will Vest (right lower leg strain, 15-day IL on June 27)

TONIGHT’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER

45 Reese Olson • 1-4, 4.71 ERA (49.2IP/26ER)

• Olson will make the 12th appearance and ninth start of his Major League career tonight in the series opener vs. Tampa Bay.
• Most recent start was last Friday at Miami, when he received a no decision after giving up four runs on eight hits with no walks and two strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
• Will be making his first career appearance against the Rays tonight… in six career outings, including four starts, at Comerica Park, Olson is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA (26.2IP/16ER) and 29 strikeouts.
• Earned his first big league win on June 24 vs. Minnesota, allowing one run on four hits with a walk and nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings… became the 11th Tigers pitcher since 1901 to strike out nine-or-more batters in one of his first five Major League games (last, Tyler Alexander, July 27, 2019 at Seattle).
• Made his Major League debut on June 2 at Chicago (AL), allowing two runs on two hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 5.0 innings… carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning until allowing a single to Romy Gonzalez…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first Tigers pitcher to throw at least 5.0 no-hit innings in his debut since Bill Slayback pitched 7.0 hitless innings on June 26, 1972 vs. New York (AL).