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Cabrera sparks Orioles to win in home opener

Apr 10, 2007 - 1:26 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Daniel Cabrera may finally be reaching his potential.

Cabrera pitched into the seventh inning for the second consecutive game and Kevin Millar homered as the Orioles won their seventh consecutive home opener, 6-2, over the Detroit Tigers.

After struggling with his control during his first three seasons, Cabrera (1-1) allowed two runs with seven hits - and most important, no walks.

"I feel really comfortable. I worked hard everyday (in spring training) and it paid off," Cabrera said. "It feels so good. (It was) so exciting to pitch the opening (home opener). It's (the) first time for me. I'm happy to be here."

"He throws 96-97 (miles per hour) with a good change and great curveball," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He is more poised and has more of a presence on the mound than last year. He pitched very well."

Following a season in which he led the majors in wild pitches and walks, the 6-7 righthander has walked four batters through two starts, his lowest career total through two starts.

"We (will) wait until our season is over before I compare (this year) to last year," Cabrera said. "Today I had good location and all my pitches were working."

Millar's solo blast triggered a four-run third inning that turned a one-run deficit into a 4-1 lead. Following a run-scoring single from Brian Roberts, Melvin Mora doubled to deep center to plate Roberts for his team-leading eighth RBI.

"Early in the season everything is magnified," Millar said. "It's a long season. "I was looking for a pitch I could handle and fortunately it went out."

Detroit starter Chad Durbin (0-1) struggled in his first start since 2004, giving up six runs and nine hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

Placido Polanco and Magglio Ordonez each had two hits for the Tigers, who have dropped two straight contests.