Detroit @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( May 26, 2015 ) Detroit 1, Oakland 0

Detroit needed just one run to halt a three-game losing streak and looks to win the series from Oakland when it visits the Athletics in Wednesday’s finale of a three-game set. The teams have traded shutout victories with Oakland winning the opener 4-0 before the Tigers rebounded with Tuesday’s 1-0 win.

Detroit tallied the lone run of Tuesday’s game in the first inning when No. 2 hitter Rajai Davis hit a sacrifice fly. Tigers center fielder Anthony Gose led off the contest with a single, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Josh Phegley’s throwing error as part of a two-hit outing, and he is 11-for-24 over his last six contests. Oakland, which had a three-game winning streak snapped, had second baseman Ben Zobrist (knee) in the lineup for the first time since April 24 and he had two of his club’s seven hits. Third baseman Brett Lawrie (back) returned after a three-game absence and went 0-for-4 to end a five-game hitting streak.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Kyle Ryan (NR) vs. Athletics LH Scott Kazmir (2-3, 3.09 ERA)

Alfredo Simon (5-2, 2.67) was scratched Tuesday night and placed on the bereavement list as he traveled to the Dominican Republic to be with his ill father. Ryan will be recalled Wednesday and will start the game if he arrives in Oakland soon enough to be properly prepared, manager Brad Ausmus told reporters. The 12th-round pick in the 2010 draft went 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in six appearances (one start) with Detroit last season and is 0-5 with a 4.67 ERA in nine starts at Triple-A Toledo this season.

Kazmir has lost three consecutive decisions and has experienced seven straight winless outings since defeating Houston on April 13. He lost to Tampa Bay in his last turn when he gave up three runs (two earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Kazmir is 5-5 with a 3.51 ERA in 15 career starts against Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers OF/DH Rajai Davis is 10-for-21 with six RBIs against Kazmir, while 2B Ian Kinsler is just 5-for-36.

2. Oakland LHP Sean Doolittle (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list but RHP Tyler Clippard will continue as the closer in the short term.

3. Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera went 1-for-4 on Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Athletics 2