Marsh (8-9) took the loss versus the Tigers on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out five over 2.2 innings.
Marsh needed 73 pitches (39 strikes) to get eight outs in a poor start. It's a step back after his one-run, 11-strikeout effort versus the Pirates last Friday, and it's the poorest of his five outings since he rejoined the big-league rotation in late August. Marsh is now at a 4.65 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 121:39 K:BB over 124 innings across 25 appearances (24 starts) this year. Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) lasted 3.1 innings in a rehab start last Friday with Triple-A Omaha, but he also experienced more than the usual soreness after that outing. The last spot in the Royals' rotation is due up again on the road versus the Nationals, and it's unclear if Marsh is in contention for that start, which would likely be his last of the regular season if he gets it.