Tigers' Jack Flaherty, facing Angels, searches for first win of season

The Detroit Tigers have been wallowing around the bottom of the American League. A big part of that has been the continued struggles for Jack Flaherty.

The veteran right-hander, who will start the series finale against the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, hasn't recorded a victory this year. Detroit lost the last seven games that Flaherty has started, most recently when he survived just 3 1/3 innings at Baltimore on Friday.

Flaherty (0-6, 5.94 ERA) gave up six runs and eight hits on that dreary night, though only half of the runs were earned. Pete Alonso and Jackson Holliday homered off him.

"There's a handful of fastballs that are probably over the middle of the plate that when I go back and look at it, (I) will see that," Flaherty said.

Over his past six starts, Flaherty has surrendered 22 earned runs in 23 2/3 innings (8.37 ERA) while losing five times.

"Jack is always a competitor and he's always trying to find a way," Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. "Obviously, he's searching for the consistency that he's had before in his career and will have again.

"This is taking a toll on him. It's taking a toll on all of us. Not just Jack's performance, just the overall way things have gone. But we'll get back to work and Jack will get back to work to find solutions."

The Angels have traditionally been rough on Flaherty as well. He has lost all three career starts against them while giving up 20 runs, 19 earned, in 13 2/3 innings (12.51 ERA).

Flaherty's mound opponent, Los Angeles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, has made two starts since recovering from right shoulder inflammation that kept him out for the season's first seven weeks. Rodriguez (1-1, 10.61 ERA) gave up seven runs and seven hits while walking four in 3 2/3 innings in his Angels debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 17.

He allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Texas Rangers on Friday and picked up the victory as the Angels prevailed 9-6.

"Definitely took a step in the right direction," Rodriguez said. "Still a lot of things to work on, though. Felt like I was fighting my delivery at times."

Rodriguez cut down his walk total to two free passes.

"I don't even want to look at the first-pitch strikes," Rodriguez said. "I don't even want to look at that stat. I know that needs to be better, but we're headed in the right direction."

Rodriguez was acquired from Baltimore in a November deal that sent outfielder Taylor Ward to the Orioles. The Angels are hoping that Rodriguez will emerge as one of their top starters. He has pitched 10 scoreless innings and struck out 15 while going 1-0 in two career starts against the Tigers.

Detroit got a much-needed 4-0 victory in the middle game of the three-game series on Wednesday, but it came with a cost.

Starting pitcher Casey Mize was removed after the fourth inning due to right groin tightness. Closer Kenley Jansen couldn't finish the game after an awkward landing while delivering a pitch. Both sustained right groin injuries, but the extent of both was unclear right after the game, Hinch said.

The Tigers won for just the second time in 11 games, while the Angels had their season-best four-game winning streak snapped.

--Field Level Media