(My Sportsbook) - Still 13 games out of first place in the AL East, the struggling Tampa Bay Devil Rays welcome the suddenly resurgent Detroit Tigers into Tropicana Field tonight for the first of three games.

The Devil Rays come into Friday's opener riding a four-game losing streak after getting blanked by the Minnesota Twins, 5-0, on Thursday. Rocco Baldelli had two hits for Tampa, while Al Martin and Toby Hall each added a hit for the D-Rays, who mustered just five in the game. Baldelli has seven hits in his last three games after going hitless in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Dewon Brazelton (0-1) absorbed the loss despite giving up just four runs -- three earned -- in seven innings of work.

Tonight, Tampa will give the ball to Jim Parque, who will be making his first start since April 8 after a stint on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis.

So far, Parque is 0-1 on the year with a 17.55 ERA through two starts. He was shelved on April 9, one day after getting pounded by the Baltimore Orioles for six runs and five hits in just 1 2/3 innings.

Parque, who will replace Steve Parris in the rotation, has allowed 13 runs on 12 hits over just 6 2/3 innings this season. The 27-year-old lefthander has started seven games against the Tigers in his career and is 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA.

Baldelli is hitting .355 with 21 RBI this season, but he has only walked four times in 34 games.

Tampa took two of three from the Tigers last weekend, but has dropped four of the last seven overall matchups. The D-Rays, though, have taken four of the last six meetings in Tampa.