SCOUTING REPORT: How 'bout those Tigers? After starting 3-25, they have an actual, honest-to-goodness win streak. They beat the Rays on Sunday, then swept the Orioles for their first road sweep in nearly two years.
That's a four-game streak.
"I don't know how many more wins it will take for everyone to stop being sarcastic about "The Tigers Win,' " manager Alan Trammell was quoted by MLB.com after Wednesday's win. "We're getting a lot of national publicity, a lot of national press, and not the way you would like to have it."
With sleeping bats most of the season, including a one-hit performance against the Rays' Joe Kennedy on May 2, the Tigers came alive in Baltimore. They hit .309 and ended up winning more games in four days than they had in the first 34 of the season.
CONNECTIONS: The Rays have three ex-Tigers who played key roles in Saturday's victory in Detroit. Damion Easley, who played for the Tigers from 1996-2002, drove in the winner. George Lombard, who appeared in 72 games for Detroit last season, scored the winner. And Chris Truby, who played 89 games in Motown last season, drove in an insurance run.
SEASON SERIES: The Rays took two of three in Detroit last weekend and lead the all-time series 24-20. The Rays have won six of the past nine and four straight at Tropicana Field.