D-Train Wins Behind Six Shutout Innings, Pitches Tigers Past Twins
Dontrelle Willis pitched four-hit ball over six-plus innings in perhaps his best performance with the Detroit Tigers, a 3-0 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.
Willis (1-1) struck out six -- his highest total since 2007 when he was with the Florida Marlins -- and walked only two. Joel Zumaya struck out two in two perfect innings and Jose Valverde pitched a hitless ninth for his seventh save in eight chances.
Johnny Damon's sacrifice fly in the first put the Tigers ahead 1-0, Austin Jackson's RBI single in the fifth made it 2-0 and Don Kelly's two-out single in the eighth gave them a three-run cushion.
Carl Pavano (3-2) gave up three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits and two walks over eight innings for the Twins.
Valverde walked Orlando Hudson to lead off the ninth, then induced Michael Cuddyer to hit into a double play and Jim Thome to strike out to complete the four-hitter.
