(Sports Network) - The fading Detroit Tigers aim to snap out of their current funk tonight, as they resume a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Comerica Park.
Last night, Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer to back seven strong innings by Jered Weaver as the Angels downed Detroit, 4-2, in the series opener.
Howie Kendrick and Peter Bourjos each knocked in a run for the Angels, who snapped a three-game slide and won for the just the third time in their last 10 games.
Weaver (11-7) scattered three hits and two runs -- one earned -- with nine strikeouts and four walks for the win. Brian Fuentes turned in a scoreless ninth for his 21st save.
"What Jered did on the mound set the tone," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "That's a tough lineup to go through and he pitched well."
Brennan Boesch hit a solo homer for the Tigers, who have dropped three straight and six of seven games.
Justin Verlander (12-7) allowed seven hits and four runs over seven full frames in defeat.
"I should have pitched better tonight," a disappointed Verlander said. "I should have been able to make some pitches when I needed to early in the game but I wasn't able to."
Jeremy Bonderman takes the hill for Detroit tonight and he is in search of a third straight win. On Tuesday, Bonderman gave up one earned run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings of a 7-1 triumph over the Chicago White Sox. He walked one and struck out five in improving to 4-3 at home.
The right-hander has made 12 starts in his career against Los Angeles, going 3-3 with a 4.40 ERA. He has not received a decision in two outings versus the Angels this season despite boasting a 3.00 ERA.
The Angels will respond with Scott Kazmir, who is expected to come off the disabled list for the start. Kazmir has really struggled this season and is currently mired in a career-high four-game slide in which he has posted a 13.73 ERA during that time. The left-hander was last on the hill on July 10th, when he gave up 13 earned runs in five innings of 15-1 loss to Oakland.
Kazmir is 1-0 with a 2.31 in two starts versus the Tigers this season, but is just 3-4 with a 4.15 ERA in 10 career against them.
The Tigers have won five of six encounters with the Angels since losing the first two meetings this year. That includes a three-game sweep at home from April 30-May 2, as Detroit has won nine of the last 13 meetings.