The Detroit Tigers have experienced few problems at the plate even with Miguel Cabrera on the shelf, but their bullpen cost them a prime chance for another win over the Minnesota Twins with a stunning meltdown.
Phil Hughes will try to help the Twins build on a thrilling victory and slow down the Tigers on Saturday (4 p.m. on FOX Sports 1) while extending his win streak to four.
Detroit (44-42) is batting .323 while averaging 5.9 runs in its last 14 games and had 12 hits Friday at Minnesota (47-40). The Tigers, though, took a shocking 8-6 loss when Bruce Rondon and Joakim Soria combined to give up seven runs in the ninth inning.
"That one stunk," manager Brad Ausmus said. "Can't pout about it. Got another game and we'll come back and go at it again."
Brian Dozier, who lost out on the AL's final All-Star spot earlier in the day, launched the winning three-run homer - his third in five games - and gave Minnesota just its third victory in 11 matchups this season with Detroit.
"Dozier right now is definitely our MVP," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "He's doing everything he can to will this team to win and it showed tonight."
The Tigers built a 6-0 lead on homers from Yoenis Cespedes, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez, giving them a major league-leading 32 home runs in 18 games since June 21.
J.D. Martinez, third in the AL with 25 longballs, hit his 12th in 17 games before Detroit was denied its sixth win in eight contests. Cespedes, who also lost in the AL's final vote, had his third in the last five games.
Cespedes' three-run shot helped Detroit once again ease the sting of Cabrera's absence to a strained left calf, which is expected to keep him out for at least six weeks.
Hughes (7-6, 4.19 ERA) will try to stifle the Tigers' lineup and heads into his game with a 2.48 ERA in his last four starts. He yielded two runs in 6 1-3 innings Monday in a 4-2, 10-inning win over Baltimore.
Hughes hasn't been as sharp in two starts against Detroit this season, going 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA. He gave up three runs in five innings in his latest matchup April 29, a 10-7 home loss.
Hughes will pitch opposite a struggling Alfredo Simon (8-5, 4.18). The Tigers right-hander is 1-2 with a 10.18 ERA in his last four starts but got enough support for a 12-5 win in Seattle on Monday. Simon, who had a 2.58 ERA in his first 12 games, yielded five runs in 5 2-3 innings and eight hits, giving him 37 allowed in his past four starts.
Simon is 1-0 with a 1.15 ERA in two starts against Minnesota and allowed one run in 7 2-3 innings in his lone one this season May 12.
Kurt Suzuki is 4 for 10 with two homers in his career against Simon while Joe Mauer (1 for 9) and Hunter (1 for 8) haven't fared as well.
Hughes will likely be relieved not to face Cabrera, who is 17 for 36 with five homers lifetime against him. Cespedes, batting .368 during an eight-game hit streak, is 6 for 12 with five extra-base hits against Hughes, with two doubles and a triple in five at-bats this season.
