(SportsNetwork.com) – The Detroit Tigers turn to David Price on Friday when
they go after a third straight shutout in the opener of a three-game series
with the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.
The, scoreless streak may continue, as Price has yet to allow an earned run in
14 1/3 innings this season. After tossing 8 2/3 scoreless frames on Opening
Day, Price yielded three in 5 2/3 innings on Saturday in Cleveland, but all
were unearned and he did not factor in the decision of his team’s 9-6 win.
Price’s streak is the longest run of innings without allowing an earned run to
start a year in his career.
Price is just 4-5 against the White Sox with a 3.62 ERA in 10 starts.
After suffering their first loss of the season in Pittsburgh, the Tigers
responded with back-to-back shutouts and at 8-1 the team is off to their best
start since beginning their world championship season of 1984, 16-1.
Of course, the Tigers opened the season with 24 scoreless innings in a home
sweep of Minnesota.
Chicago, meanwhile, has played better since getting swept by the Kansas City
Royals to open the year. After taking two of three from the Twins, the White
Sox split a two-gamer with the Cleveland Indians, falling, 4-2, in Wednesday’s
finale.
Alexei Ramirez and J.B. Shuck each drove in a run for the White Sox, who had a
three-game winning streak stopped. John Danks (0-2) gave up four runs — three
earned — on six hits over 4 2/3 innings.
“I think [John Danks] actually pitched all right,” White Sox manager Robin
Ventura said. “We didn’t do him any favors behind him. Lot of miscues that
lead to runs, and they end up biting you at the end. We had a lot of
opportunities.”
Hoping to get them back on track Friday the White Sox will hand the ball to
righty Jeff Samardzija, who is still looking for his first win since being
dealt to Chicago.
Samardzija lost on Opening Day, but did not get a decision against Minnesota
on Saturday. He wasn’t sharp, though, as he allowed four runs and eight hits
in seven innings in a 5-4 win. He did strikeout six batters without issuing a
walk.
This will be his first-ever meeting with the White Sox.
Detroit was 10-9 versus the White Sox last season.
