MLB
Scores/Schedules Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Message board
Weekly lineup

  Tuesday, Apr. 18 7:05pm ET
Detroit shut out for 3rd time in 12 games
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

DETROIT (AP) -- Pete Schourek took advantage of Detroit's aggressive hitters.

Schourek pitched seven strong innings and Trot Nixon homered as the Boston Red Sox beat the Tigers 7-0 on Tuesday night.

"I used my changeup a lot," Schourek said. "I'd say every third pitch, at least. They were up there hacking."

This was the third shutout for the Tigers, a team that was blanked a major league high 12 times last season.

"You've just got to tip your hat to Schourek," Detroit manager Phil Garner said. "Our guy didn't pitch a bad game. But their guy pitched better."

Schourek (1-1), signed by the Red Sox two days before the start of the season, gave up six hits, one walk and struck out four. Derek Lowe pitched two hitless innings for his third save.

Schourek, released by Pittsburgh in the final week of spring training, one day after he apparently had won a job as fifth man in the Pirates' rotation, allowed just one extra-base hit, a sixth-inning double by Bobby Higginson.

"I thought he did an outstanding job of changing speeds," Boston manager Jimy Williams said. "He probably could have pitched more. But, you've got to be concerned with keeping them healthy. We might need him down the road."

Detroit's Dave Mlicki (0-3) allowed four runs, five hits and three walks in eight-plus innings. But the Red Sox made their hits count.

"It was just one of those things," said Mlicki, Detroit's best pitcher last season. "Pete did a better job than I did. He had a pretty good change tonight."

Nixon, the game's second batter, hit his third homer on an 0-1 count, giving Boston a 1-0 lead. But this is nothing new for Nixon, who also had a double in five at-bats. He is 4-for-8 lifetime against Mlicki.

"Nixon hit a fastball that was up and in," Mlicki said. "I was kind of surprised. I don't even think it was a strike. But that's the way it goes with him. He always seems to be locked in against us."

Last season, Nixon drilled a career-high three homers against the Tigers on July 24, a game in which the Red Sox had seven homers, five off starter Jeff Weaver.

Nomar Garciaparra and Troy O'Leary singled and doubled to start the Boston fourth. Mike Stanley and Scott Hatteberg followed with sacrifice flies to make it 3-0.

Hatteberg, Wilton Veras, Jose Offerman, and Brian Daubach had RBIs in Boston's four-run ninth.

Game notes
The homer by Nixon was the third by a visitor at Comerica Park. Tampa Bay's Gerald Williams hit the first two. The Tigers also have hit three homers in their new ballpark. ... Juan Encarnacion was ruled out by fan interference for the final out in the Detroit fourth. A fan in the seats along the right field foul line reached out and deflected a routine fly just as Nixon, the Red Sox right fielder, reached up to catch it. First base umpire Terry Craft made the call without hesitation. ... The Red Sox remain the only major league team without a stolen base. This 14-game streak is the longest in the big leagues since 1987 when the Red Sox went the first 15 without stealing a base.

 


ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard

Boston Clubhouse

Detroit Clubhouse


RECAPS
Tampa Bay 0
Baltimore 0

Oakland 8
Cleveland 5

Boston 7
Detroit 0

Anaheim 16
Toronto 10

Chi. White Sox 18
Seattle 11

Minnesota 3
Kansas City 1

NY Yankees 6
Texas 3

San Francisco 13
Cincinnati 9

Florida 12
Pittsburgh 5

Montreal 4
Chicago Cubs 3

NY Mets 10
Milwaukee 7

Atlanta 4
Philadelphia 3

St. Louis 5
San Diego 4

Arizona 7
Colorado 1

Los Angeles 5
Houston 3