Fulmer wins debut as Tigers thump Twins

MINNEAPOLIS — No. 1 Tigers prospect Michael Fulmer tossed five solid innings to pick up the win in his Major League debut, and was backed by homers from Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos in a 9-2 victory over the Twins on Friday night at Target Field.

Fulmer, ranked as the No. 50 overall prospect by MLBPipeline.com, gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts. He became the first Tigers pitcher to win his debut since lefty Kyle Ryan on Aug. 30, 2014.

Fulmer was staked to a three-run lead in the first, as Twins right-hander Phil Hughes struggled early before settling in. Hughes also went five frames, surrendering four runs on seven hits and two walks to snap a string of four straight quality starts. He gave up a solo homer to Cabrera in the fifth.

The Tigers put the game away with a three-run eighth, keyed by solo shots from Martinez and Castellanos off reliever Casey Fien. Twins right-hander Alex Meyer, scheduled to start Tuesday, came in and gave up consecutive singles to allow another run to score before getting out of a bases-loaded jam with one out. Meyer remained in and gave up two more runs in the ninth, exiting with one out.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDComing out hitting: Detroit took control early and gave its rookie pitcher some breathing room. The Tigers scored three runs in the first off Hughes. Ian Kinsler walked to start the game and J.D. Martinez …

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