Inge, Porcello help Tigers beat Rays, 6-2

[August 29, 2009]  DETROIT (AP) -- Brandon Inge homered and scored twice, helping the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 Friday night.

After the game, the Rays announced they traded two-time All-Star Scott Kazmir to the Los Angeles Angels for left-hander Alex Torres and infielder Matt Sweeney.

Rookie Rick Porcello (11-8) won for the first time since Aug. 6, allowing one run on four hits and two walks in 5 2-3 innings. Porcello has allowed one or two earned runs in five of his six August starts.

Four Detroit relievers combined to finish the six-hitter.

Matt Garza (7-9) took the loss, giving up six runs on five hits and three walks in five innings.

Detroit took a 1-0 lead on Inge's 25th homer in the second, then took control with five runs in the fourth. With one out, Aubrey Huff and Carlos Guillen walked before Inge's single loaded the bases.

Gerald Laird and Adam Everett hit back-to-back two-run doubles, and Curtis Granderson made it 6-0 with a third straight double.

Gregg Zaun got Tampa Bay on the board with a sixth-inning RBI single that ended Porcello's night.

Former Tiger Gabe Kapler ended the scoring with a solo homer off Bobby Seay in the ninth.

NOTES: Rays INF-OF Ben Zobrist missed the game due to a death in the family, but was expected to be back for Saturday afternoon's game. ... The start of the game was delayed for 16 minutes by rain, and another heavy shower began to fall in the ninth inning. ... The Tigers and Rays played for the first time this season, the first of seven games between the teams in 10 days. ... Detroit activated LHP pitcher Nate Robertson from the disabled list Friday, and he is expected to make his first start of the season Saturday against Tampa Bay. Robertson has been out since June 27 after having a mass removed from his left elbow.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.