Tigers slip past Atlanta late, 2-1

Andy Dirks hit a two-run triple in the ninth inning, giving the Detroit Tigers a 2-1 victory over a split squad of Atlanta Braves today. Dirks’ winning hit came off Arodys Vizcaino after singles by Brennan Boesch and Scott Sizemore. Atlanta led, 1-0, when Arodys Vizcaino got the first out in the bottom of the ninth, but Boesch drove a single to center field, his second straight hit. Jordan Schafer led off the game with a triple and scored the Braves’ only run.

Rick Porcello pitched 4 2-3 innings for the Tigers, giving up three hits including Alex Gonzalez’s single that drove in Schafer. Daniel Schlereth worked two perfect innings of relief for Detroit.