Tigers 9, Twins 2
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Tigers pounded out 18 hits and got five solid innings from pitcher Michael Fulmer in a 9-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at Target Field.
Fulmer, one of Detroit's top prospects, got the win in his major league debut, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out four.
Every hitter in the Tigers lineup had at least one hit. Victor Martinez led the way with four hits, finishing a triple short of the cycle. Nick Castellanos and Justin Upton each had three hits and Castellanos knocked in three runs.
Detroit won its third consecutive game and has won four of its last five since a four-game losing streak.
Twins right-hander Phil Hughes took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in five innings.
Minnesota was within 4-2 as late as the eighth inning, but allowed solo homers to Victor Martinez and Castellanos then three-straight singles to the bottom third of the order as the Tigers jumped out to a 7-2 lead with three runs in the eighth.
Detroit tacked on two more in the ninth on RBI singles by Castellanos and Bobby Wilson.
Eduardo Escobar and Miguel Sano each had RBI hits for the Twins, who have lost back-to-back games.
The Tigers scored three runs off three hits and a walk in the first inning to give Fulmer some early support.
Detroit led 1-0 two batters into the game following a leadoff walk by Ian Kinsler and a loud double off the center-field fence by J.D. Martinez.
Two batters later, Victor Martinez singled to right, scoring another run and Upton singled sharply to right, putting runners on the corners with one out. Castellanos' sac-fly to right field was just deep enough to score Victor Martinez from third for a 3-0 lead.
The Twins put together three consecutive two-out singles in the third inning, scoring a run on an RBI hit by Escobar, but the Tigers got it back in the next half inning on a solo home run by Miguel Cabrera.
Miguel Sano's run-scoring double in the bottom of the inning got the Twins back within two runs at 4-2.
NOTES: RHP Michael Fulmer was recalled before the game from Triple-A Toledo. ... Tigers RHP Shane Greene was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand. Greene's placement on the DL is retroactive to April 25. ... Twins LHP Tommy Milone was taken out of the starting rotation and moved into long relief. He will be replaced in the rotation by RHP Alex Meyer, who will make his first major league start on Tuesday. ... Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe left for a rehabilitation assignment to Class A Fort Myers this weekend. Plouffe (intercostal strain) has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 19. ... The Tigers and Twins will continue their three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Target Field. Detroit RHP Jordan Zimmerman (4-0, 0.35 ERA) will go against Minnesota RHP Tyler Duffey (0-0, 2.25).