Tigers snap 4-game skid, beat Cardinals 4-0 in home opener

Dillon Dingler homered, Framber Valdez pitched six shutout innings and the Detroit Tigers ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opener on Friday.

Valdez (1-0) allowed three hits and two walks in his home debut for Detroit. Three relievers finished the game.

Michael McGreevy (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings for the Cardinals.

Riley Greene hit a one-out double in the fourth and Dingler broke the scoreless tie with a 433-foot homer over the Cardinals bullpen in left-center.

Greene then hit an RBI single with two out in the fifth to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead, and Javier Báez drove in Parker Meadows to add a fourth run in the sixth.

The Cardinals loaded the bases with two out in the fourth, but José Fermín flew out to left.

The game-time temperature was 71 degrees, making it the warmest home opener since the Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000.

Detroit has a .667 regular-season winning percentage (34-17) against the Cardinals — their highest mark against any team.

The teams play the second game of their weekend series on Saturday afternoon, with Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.15) facing RHP Dustin May (0-1, 13.50).


(AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)