Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Jeremy Hellickson tossed seven scoreless innings in his second major league start, as the Tampa Bay Rays dominated the Detroit Tigers, 8-0, in the second test of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
Hellickson (2-0) gave up just three hits and struck out seven to become the second Ray to win his first two major league starts. Joe Kennedy won his first two starts in 2001.
The right-hander topped his performance against the Twins on August 2, when he allowed two runs on three hits. He also fanned six batters and walked two in a 4-2 victory. Hellickson was sent back to Triple-A Durham right after the start, but was recalled with Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann being placed on the disabled list with shoulder problems on Monday.
Dan Johnson walked four times, scored twice, and knocked in a run for the Rays, who have won two in a row since a five-game skid. Willy Aybar, Ben Zobrist, John Jaso, Evan Longoria, and B.J. Upton each had an RBI.
Tigers starter Max Scherzer (7-9) was solid in seven innings, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on four hits to take the hard-luck loss. Detroit has lost six of its last seven games.