Finally, Tigers Get First Victory

The Detroit Tigers knew they were going to eventually win a game.

That didn’t lessen the sighs of relief when it finally happened for the Tigers and rookie Manager Alan Trammell.

The Tigers ended their record-setting 0-9 start, getting a three-run homer from Shane Halter and six strong innings by Nate Cornejo to beat the Chicago White Sox, 4-3, Saturday.

“We’re still 1-9, so we can’t celebrate like we had just won the World Series,” Halter said.

“This feels great, but to be honest, my first thought was that now we can win tomorrow and win the series,” said Trammell, who kept the lineup card and the ball from the final out.

“It’s certainly nice, but there is a lot more to this than just one win,” he said.

The Tigers (1-9) fell two losses short of matching last season’s 0-11 start. They are the only team since 1900 to start consecutive seasons with nine consecutive losses.

Cornejo (1-1) picked up his first victory since April 27, 2002, a span of seven starts. He gave up one run and seven hits in six innings, walking two and striking out three.

“I got into a lot of jams today, and there have been a lot of times in the past where I’ve tried too hard in those situations and made things worse,” he said. “Today, I was able to relax and get out of them.”

Three relievers finished, with Matt Anderson getting the last four outs for his first save. The White Sox put runners on first and second with two outs before Anderson struck out Aaron Rowand.