LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hits a three-run homer off Vinnie Pestano in his first at-bat of spring training, Justin Verlander pitched two hitless innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 3-0 Friday.
Cabrera walked in the first inning and homered in the third. He hit 18 homers last season, his fewest since 2003, and was limited by injuries to 119 games as Detroit finished last in the AL Central after four straight division titles.
Verlander struck out one and walked one in his first outing.
Yankees starter Brian Mitchell, competing for a rotation spot, pitched two hitless innings and struck out two.