Tigers rally to tie before losing opener to Marlins in Miami

The Detroit Tigers rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning only to fall behind again moments later, losing to the Miami Marlins 6-4 on Friday night at loanDepot Park.

The Tigers (46-58) have now lost four in a row. They play the Marlins (56-48) twice more this weekend in Miami.

The Tigers scored tied the game at 4 in the eighth inning on Nick Maton’s RBI double. But the Marlins answered back with straight singles against reliever Jason Foley to start the bottom of the eighth, ultimately scoring two runs.

The Tigers got one run back in the ninth, when Spencer Torkelson doubled and then was driven home by Andy Ibanez’s single. But after strikeouts by Eric Haase and Javier Baez, the game-tying run was left stranded.

Tigers rookie starter Reese Olson fought through some tough stretches early to finish strong. He retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced after giving up four runs in the first three innings, including a two-run homer to Bryan De La Cruz in the first.

The Tigers scored only one unearned run against Marlins rookie lefty Braxton Garrett, who pitched six innings.

Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera, playing his final games in the city where his career began, was hit by a pitch and reached on an error but didn’t have any hits.

BOX SCORE

Up next: The Tigers and Marlins meet again on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will pitch for the Marlins. The Tigers have not yet announced a starter. They could use a bullpen day or call someone up to start.

Cueto, 37, signed a one-year deal with the Marlins that included $8.5 million in guaranteed money. But he’s been hurt for most of the year and posted subpar numbers on his recent minor-league rehab assignment.