Andy Oliver and Drew Smyly combined for six scoreless innings, allowing the Tigers the time to come back for a 10-3 victory over the Cardinals. That came after Adam Wilk, also competing for the fifth spot in Detroit's rotation, struggled a bit in his outing.
Oliver tossed just two innings, but for the second time in three appearances this spring did not issue any walks. He gave up a hit as well, while striking out one.
Smyly finished the game's final four innings. He didn't allow any hits, but did suffer a pair of walks. He struck out four.
The game's starter, Wilk, allowed six hits and two walks in three innings to sport St. Louis a 3-0 lead.
Detroit's batters had few problems dealing with St. Louis's pitching. The Tigers scored four runs off the starter and six off the bullpen. Prince Fielder went 3-for-3, but Delmon Young had the gaudy stats of the day: a three-run home run and a double. Ryan Raburn had two hits, including a home run, and Miguel Cabrera had two hits, as well. Young and Raburn lead the Tigers in average this spring, hitting .519 and .476. If they can keep this up -- Raburn sports a slugging of 1.381 and Young 1.000 -- it might actually portend good things for the coming season. (You can visit Lee Panas' website for more on that.)