Zimmermann Shuts Down Twins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jordan Zimmermann won his fifth straight start to begin his first season with Detroit, and Justin Upton hit a three-run homer to help the Tigers top the Minnesota Twins 4-1 on Saturday.

Zimmermann (5-0) gave up one run and six hits with no walks and seven strikeouts over seven innings. He became the first Tigers pitcher to win five games in April since Frank Tanana in 1988, according to STATS.

Victor Martinez doubled twice for the Tigers, who have won five of six. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save in seven opportunities.

Eduardo Escobar had three singles for the Twins, who lost their third straight and fell to 7-17 overall.  Byung Ho Park hit a homerun for Minnesota's only score.

Tyler Duffey (0-1) gave up just one earned run in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking none. But one mistake in the first marred an otherwise solid performance.