DETROIT -- Tigers manager Brad Ausmus joked before Friday's game against the Rangers that he'd love for Jordan Zimmermann to lower his Major League-best 0.55 ERA.
The right-hander didn't do that, but he gave the Tigers a shot, allowing three earned runs over eight innings in a 5-1 loss. It was Zimmermann's first loss as a Tiger.
"He did an excellent job," Ausmus said. "Gave up a couple runs early and the home run, but he pitched eight innings and gave us a chance to win."
Zimmermann (5-1, 1.10 ERA) was the first Tigers pitcher to win each of his first five starts to open a season since Frank Tanana in 1988, and Zimmermann was the American League Pitcher of the Month for April.