LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Drew Smyly started fast and then faded in his first outing since winning a job in Detroit’s rotation, but the Tigers got home runs from Prince Fielder and Delmon Young in an 11-8 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.
Smyly has only one year of professional experience and has never pitched above Double-A, but he beat out Duane Below for the final spot in the Tigers’ rotation. The 22-year-old lefty, handed a 9-0 lead after two innings, carried a shutout into the fifth before giving up four runs — including a homer by Omar Vizquel.
Smyly was charged with four runs and four hits in 5 1-3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.
Brett Cecil was ineffective in his final spring tuneup for the Blue Jays. He gave up nine runs, seven earned, and 11 hits in four innings.
