Tigers demote Kyle Ryan, call up Buck Farmer as reliever

SEATTLE – Kyle Ryan put it this way.

"This is baseball," the Tigers left-hander said. "We're trying to win games and I'm not giving us the chance to win."

And because of that, he was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following the 7-6 loss to the Mariners in 11 innings on Tuesday night.

In his place, the team will recall right-hander Buck Farmer from the Mud Hens.

Farmer, manager Brad Ausmus said, will be available to pitch out of the bullpen in today's series finale at Safeco Field.

Ryan was chased in the third inning, three batters after allowing a grand slam to Austin Jackson and a solo home run to Franklin Gutierrez, which squandered the Tigers' early three-run lead.

He threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits. He struck out two and walked one.

"We want him to get down there and get some work done," Ausmus said. "Get his sinkers and cutters down in the zone, more downhill so the movement is also down and get his groundballs back up. His sinker got a little bit flat."

Ryan hasn't recorded an out in the fifth inning in his past three starts.

In eight games this season, the lefty has a 5.64 ERA.

He was scheduled to start the first half finale on Sunday at Minnesota but that starter is to be determined, Ausmus said, and Farmer will be ready out of the bullpen today.

Farmer has allowed 12 earned runs on 17 hits in two starts with the Tigers this year.

Ryan, meanwhile, will continue to start in the minor leagues and will work on "staying down," he said, "And throwing strikes with all of my pitches."

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.



