Willis leads Tigers past Rangers 4-0

[May 20, 2009]  DETROIT (AP) -- Dontrelle Willis earned his first victory with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, allowing one hit while working into the seventh inning in a 4-0 win against the Texas Rangers.

The left-hander showed plenty of the stuff that made him a two-time All-Star with the Florida Marlins.

Willis (1-0), making his second start since coming off the disabled list with an anxiety disorder, surrendered one hit and struck out five in 6 1-3 innings to win for the first time since 2007. He allowed two baserunners in the first inning, then retired 17 straight.

Andruw Jones' walk with one out in the seventh ended Willis' run of retired batter and his outing. Willis left to a loud ovation and four relievers finished the shutout.

Willis, who came to Detroit with Miguel Cabrera in a December 2007 trade with Florida, earned his last win Sept. 25, 2007, against the Chicago Cubs. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year made eight appearances in 2008 and struggled with a knee injury and control problems en route to an 0-2 mark and 9.38 ERA.

Willis was acquired by Detroit from Florida in a blockbuster deal that also landed the Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera. But Willis was a mess last season, with a 9.37 ERA in only 24 innings. He missed most of the season with a right knee injury.

Brandon McCarthy (3-2) allowed four runs and nine hits in the first seven innings and lost for the second time in as many decisions.

The Rangers, who entered the game on a seven-game winning streak, never could figure out Willis. Michael Young doubled in the first but the rest of the balls Texas lifted out of the infield were easy pickings for Detroit's outfielders.

The Tigers scored once in each of the first three innings on sacrifice flies by Jeff Larish and Gerald Laird. They added the fourth run on Miguel Cabrera's RBI double in the seventh.

Notes: Rangers All-Star CF Josh Hamilton missed the game to rest the sore right groin muscle he irritated Sunday. He and manager Ron Washington said the ailment wasn't serious. ... Tigers OF Wilkin Ramirez, who shares the International League stolen bases lead (14), will make his major-league debut Wednesday as the designated hitter, manager Jim Leyland said. Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A Toledo early Tuesday to replace Magglio Ordonez (bereavement list). ... Joyce Stearnes Thompson, daughter of Hall of Famer Norman "Turkey" Stearnes, sang the national anthem.

[Associated Press]

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