The Cleveland Guardians' right-hander entered Friday's series opener with a 9.85 ERA in six starts this season, but he also showed up with a 2.19 ERA in seven starts against the Tigers over his four-year MLB career.
This time, Civale dominated an already-struggling batting order, pitching into the seventh inning and allowing one run. The Tigers lost, 6-1, in the first of three games at Progressive Field.
Detroit dropped to 13-26, worst in the American League.
Tigers starter Tarik Skubal departed after the fifth inning with an apparent injury. The left-hander limped off the field after getting hit in the leg and knocked to the ground by a comebacker from Ernie Clement.