• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Tigers use big first inning to top Mariners

May 31, 2008 - 6:12 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Detroit Tigers needed just the first inning to seal the deal in this one.

Brandon Inge's two-run triple highlighted an impressive seven-run opening frame as the Tigers posted a 7-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night in the opener of their three-game series.

Detroit's offense took the crowd at Safeco Field out of it early by battering Seattle starter Carlos Silva.

Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco each singled before Carlos Guillen stroked a run-scoring base hit of his own. One out later, Marcus Thames delivered an RBI double, Miguel Cabrera plated a run with a single and rookie Jeff Larish grounded into a fielder's choice, bringing home Thames to make it 4-0.

"We had a rough first inning, and Silva really had a tough time," Seattle manager John McLaren said. "I can't explain it. It looked like (Silva) had a good sinker to start off with, then the ball straightened out a little bit. It was a rough go for him."

Edgar Renteria's single put runners on first and second before Inge roped a two-run triple to deep center field that chased Silva, who retired just two batters. R.A. Dickey came on and was greeted by Granderson's run-scoring, ground-rule double that capped the outburst.

"It's one of those things where, collectively as a group, we said, 'It's time to get it going,'" Inge said. "It doesn't matter who we are playing, and it just happened to be them."

"This offense was highly touted, and I think they are just kind of revealing to some people what they are capable of doing," Tigers starter Nate Robertson said. "And our pitching has been good enough to get some wins."

The Mariners are used to giving up a lot of runs to the Tigers, who scored 30 times during their three-game series sweep of Seattle almost a week ago at Comerica Park.

The first-inning run support was all the help Robertson (3-5) needed. The lefthander gave up four runs and four hits with two strikeouts and two walks to win his second straight start.

"I don't think my slider was as sharp as it can be," Robertson said. "Those are interesting games to pitch in. ... A seven-run lead, you'll take that any day, but you still have to go out there with a game plan and make sure that you don't try to be too fine. You've still got to pitch, but it was effective enough for a win."

Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre was the most difficult out for Robertson. The 29-year-old Beltre stroked solo home runs in the second and fifth innings for his first multi-homer outing of the season.

Silva (3-5) has not registered a victory since beating Oakland on the road on April 17 - a span of seven consecutive starts without a win.

"Nothing was working, nothing," Silva said. "I felt really good in the bullpen. But on the mound, I didn't even feel the ball in my hand. If I made my pitches, I would have been able to get people out, but I didn't make my pitches. I've been working very hard. The only thing I can do is keep working. I try to stay positive."