Tigers right-handed rookie Michael Fulmer had a comfy, 3-0 lead as he took the mound in his Major League debut and exited with a scoreless inning.
Fulmer, who hit 97 mph on the radar gun with his four-seam fastball, threw 19 pitches (13 for strikes). He induced two groundouts.
The highlight: Fulmer struck out Twins second baseman Brian Dozier on four pitches, the last being an 89-mph slider.
Twins first baseman Joe Mauer singled on a 10-pitch at-bat.
Detroit strikes three times in 1st
The Tigers scored three runs off Minnesota right-hander Phil Hughes in the opening inning.