ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa Bay’s Jeffrey Springs was pulled after six hitless innings, Riley Greene got Detroit's first hit with an infield single off Colin Poche in the seventh and the Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 5-1 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.
Springs (1-0) struck out a career-high 12 and matched his high of six innings, He threw 58 of 81 pitches for strikes.
Outscored 21-3 in the series, Detroit had just one runner against Springs.
Greene hit a grounder leading off the seventh that first baseman Luke Raley fielded near the outfield grass, and Greene beat Raley’s toss to Poche at first. Poche's follow-through had him turnng his back toward the plate, impacting his dash to first base.
Poche, Ryan Thompson and Jalen Beeks pitched an inning each to complete a two-hitter. Beeks gave up Jake Rogers' homer leading off the ninth.
Spring’s previous career-high of nine strikeouts was last June 23 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Springs signed a $31 million, four-year contract during the offseason after moving from the bullpen to the rotation last year. He was 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA last season while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen.
Randy Arozarena had a fourth-inning solo homer off Joey Wentz (0-1), and Jose Siri drove in two with a single against Jason Foley during a three-run, sixth.
Wentz allowed three runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings in his eighth career start.
Tigers DH Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 3, including two strikeouts, in his final game at Tropicana Field. Cabrera, who is retiring after the season, had two hits in 10 at-bats in the series.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays slugger Brandon Lowe entered as a pinch hitter in the sixth one day after fouling a ball off his right big toe Saturday.
UP NEXT:
Tigers: LHP Matthew Boyd and Houston RHP Hunter Brown will both make their season debuts on Monday night.
Rays: RHP Drew Rasmussen will take the hill on Monday against Washington.