Shane Greene struggles as early walks, trouble becoming concerning trend

1:02 AM ET

KANSAS CITY — Six days ago, in his first start of the season, Detroit Tigers pitcher Shane Greene was hamstrung early by nerves and excitement. His emotions resulted in a 35-pitch first inning, which included a leadoff single and back-to-back walks.

Luckily for the Tigers, who ended up winning that game 7-3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he settled in and steadied himself as the game went on.

They were not so fortunate Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old, whose 2015 was cut early by season-ending surgery to repair a pseudoaneurysm in his shoulder, lasted only 4 1/3 innings in the club’s 8-6 loss to the reigning World Series champion Kansas City Royals, finishing with an unsightly line.

Greene, who did not speak to reporters after the game, gave up six hits and seven runs while matching a career high with four walks, two of which set up a critical second inning in which the Royals built a 3-0 lead.

Shane Greene’s walks turned into Royals runs as the Tigers couldn’t escape an early hole. Orlin Wagner/AP

“I think the walks hurt,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “His pitch count got up. It’s kind of been a theme the last three or four games — our starter’s pitch counts get up early and there are some walks mixed in and it cost us some runs.”

This road trip has been an uncanny one in that sense. Even the positive pitching performances have been noteworthy …

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