Brad Ausmus away after news of mother's death

DETROIT -- Bench coach Gene Lamont will take over as manager of the Detroit Tigers for the next two games following the death of the mother of manager Brad Ausmus, the club announced Wednesday.

Ausmus reported to Comerica Park with the knowledge his mother had passed away overnight at his parents' home in Connecticut. Cause of death and other details were not immediately known.

Lamont, who has extensive managerial experience with the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, has served as Detroit's bench coach under both retired Jim Leyland and Ausmus.

Lamont managed one game recently while Ausmus was serving a one-game suspension for an in-game outburst directed toward an umpire. Ausmus took off his sweatshirt and covered home plate with it.

"I'll be managing (Wednesday) and Friday," Lamont said. "I was going to be the acting manager Friday anyway because Brad's daughter is graduating (from high school in San Diego, his offseason home)."

The Tigers were arranging a flight from Detroit to Connecticut for Ausmus prior to Wednesday's game.