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Robertson handles Orioles in win

Apr 11, 2007 - 3:46 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Strong pitching and strong defense made the difference for the Detroit Tigers.

Nate Robertson pitched seven-plus scoreless innings and Curtis Granderson scored twice as the Detroit Tigers downed the Baltimore Orioles, 3-1.

The Orioles have committed seven errors through eight games. By comparison, the Tigers' defense has made only two such mistakes.

"You are always as good as your defense," Robertson said. "I'm not a strikeout pitcher. I need to be aggressive and let them put the ball in play and let our defense do their job."

Baltimore's latest gaffe allowed Detroit to collect two runs in the sixth inning, more than enough support for Robertson (2-0), who allowed just four hits and a walk with five strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings.

"I had three pitches working - the main thing was my changeup - that I used to keep them off my fastball," Robertson said.

"He pitched good with good command and quick outs. He's a competitor, a bulldog," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I didn't want to pitch him any longer if I didn't have to because (Joel) Zumaya was rested."

With the bases loaded, Detroit plated two in the sixth when Baltimore first baseman Kevin Millar was unable to handle a one-hop throw from Brian Roberts on the back end of a possible inning-ending double play. After Neifi Perez scored, Granderson was allowed to cross the plate when the ball went out of play.

"We caught a break there and then we manufactured some runs," Leyland said. "It worked out well for us."

Placido Polanco hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to score Granderson for the second time. Zumaya finished up in the eighth and closer Todd Jones pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his fourth save.

Corey Patterson homered in the eighth to account for the lone Orioles' run.

Orioles starter Jaret Wright (0-2) surrendered two runs - one earned - and four hits with a walk and five strikeouts before leaving with right shoulder stiffness after fielding a grounder from Perez in the sixth inning. He threw to one more batter and was replaced by reliever Scott Williamson.

"I thought the stuff was OK," Wright said. "I felt good that I had three or four pitches to go to. It's just a shame it kept getting tighter. I didn't feel anything like this during the spring or my first start."