Anibal Sanchez pitched six strong innings, and Dixon Machado hit his first career home run to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 6-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
Sanchez (1-0) earned his first victory since Aug. 23, allowing two runs and five hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. Sanchez was pitching so poorly this season that he was sent down to Triple-A Toledo, but the 33-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.09 ERA in four starts since returning from the minors.
Machado's first home run came in the 146th at-bat of his career. The 25-year-old infielder hit a two-run shot in the second that put the Tigers up 4-0.
Chris Stratton (0-2) allowed five runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings in his first career start.
