DETROIT (AP) -- Jordan Zimmermann left his start Sunday in the sixth inning with a strained right groin.
With an 0-1 count on Tampa Bay's Steve Pearce, players gathered around Zimmermann on the mound, and trainer Kevin Rand went out to talk to him. Zimmermann was replaced by reliever Drew VerHagen.
Detroit led 6-2 when Zimmermann exited. This was the first time all season he didn't make it through at least six innings in a start.
Zimmermann entered 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA.
