(Sports Network) - Dontrelle Willis makes his first appearance against Detroit since being traded by the team earlier this month when his Arizona Diamondbacks open a three-game set against the Tigers at Comerica Park.
Willis, a huge disappointment in his time with the Tigers, has enjoyed a resurgence upon his return to the National League and is 1-0 in two starts with the Diamondbacks, while pitching to a 1.80 earned run average.
The 28-year-old left-hander did not get a decision his last time out on June 10 against Atlanta, which reached him for two runs and three hits in four innings. Willis also walked six batters in his team's 11-7 loss.
He had tossed six scoreless innings in his debut with the Diamondbacks.
Willis, who beat the Tigers in his only other appearance against them, was acquired by Detroit along with Miguel Cabrera after the 2007 season and was 2-8 there with a 6.86 ERA in 24 games (22 starts). Injuries, though, were a problem, as he spent three stints on the disabled list for various knee problems, as well as an anxiety disorder.
"I'm excited that I get a chance to play, but as far as playing against them, it's just another game for me," Willis said. "I haven't played in nine days, so I'm just happy to be in the lineup."
Arizona limps into Detroit after being swept by the Boston Red Sox. The Diamondbacks fell 8-5 on Thursday, losing for the fifth time in their last seven games overall, The D'Backs have extended their franchise-worst road losing streak to 13 straight games.
Detroit, meanwhile, is at the other end of the spectrum, having swept the Washington Nationals. On Thursday, Cabrera went 2-for-5 and knocked in three runs, helping the Tigers to an 8-3 win.
Alex Avila added a pair of hits and two RBI, while Ramon Santiago turned in a 4-for-4 effort with three runs scored and an RBI for Detroit, which has won six straight.
Jeremy Bonderman (3-4) snapped a four-start winless streak after tossing seven effective innings. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.
"I moved the ball around and had a breaking ball early and lost it late in the game, but I just tried to keep the ball moving around and trying to get outs," Bonderman said about his outing.
Heading to the hill for the Tigers tonight will be righty Armando Galarraga, who is 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA. Galarraga has not gotten a decision since his near perfect game back on June 2, but has allowed just four runs in 12 2/3 innings of his last two starts, both of which have been Tigers wins.
Galarraga beat the D-Backs the only other time he faced them.
Arizona took two of three in this series the last time these teams met back in 2008.