Tigers end home losing streak but also lose Mize, Jansen

DETROIT – The Tigers ended their seven-game home losing streak, but it might have come at a price. Casey Mize struck out six Angels over four scoreless innings before leaving with right groin tightness, then closer Kenley Jansen left with two outs in the ninth inning in Detroit’s 4-0 victory Wednesday night at Comerica Park.

Mize, who returned to Detroit’s rotation just 11 days ago after missing nearly three weeks with a right adductor strain, struck out six of his first 13 batters, including a pair of called third strikes won on ABS challenges from Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler. Mize’s only hits allowed were a line-drive single from Jorge Soler leading off the second inning and a Donovan Walton ground ball that bounced off first base and veered past first baseman Spencer Torkelson.

Mize retired six Angels in a row after Walton’s infield single, but he went to assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades after retiring Wade Meckler to end the fourth. Mize left the dugout for the clubhouse as Drew Anderson began warming in Detroit’s bullpen. Anderson followed with three perfect innings of relief, helped by another called third strike on a Dingler challenge.

The combined pitching supported Detroit’s early lead built off Angels starter José Soriano, who hadn’t allowed an earned run in nine career innings against the Tigers before Wednesday. Detroit greeted him with three consecutive singles, including a blooper into center from Dingler to drive in Colt Keith. Torkelson turned on a Soriano fastball and drilled it deep to left for his eighth homer of the season to lead off the second inning. Kevin McGonigle walked and scored on a Riley Greene single in the fifth inning, then singled and scored on a Logan O’Hoppe passed ball in the seventh.

Mize would line up to start next Monday at the Rays. The Tigers could fill his spot if needed with Ty Madden, who pitched effectively in a rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Monday after a hard-hit comebacker forced him to the injured list with a right forearm contusion.

Jansen, facing his most recent former club with a four-run lead, seemed to stumble following through on a pitch to Zach Neto. Jansen, who battled through right groin tightness early in the month but never went on the injured list, stayed in the game before calling out manager A.J. Hinch and assistant athletic trainer Chris McDonald following a four-pitch walk to Mike Trout.