ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Detroit Tigers rookie right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer had another dominating performance and he gave credit to catcher James McCann for “a fantastic job of calling pitches.”
Fulmer became the first Tiger starter since at least 1913 to allow one run or fewer in eight consecutive starts.
Fulmer outdueled ex-Tiger Drew Smyly on Friday night as the pitchers combined to strike out 18 batters.
The Tigers scored six runs (four earned) off Smyly and went on to beat the Rays, 10-2, at Tropicana Field.
Victor Martinez hit a pair of three-run home runs for the Tigers and finished with six RBIs, one shy of his career-high.