Tigers come alive in the 8th to beat the Rays, 6-3

Charlie Furbush won in his major league debut and Andy Dirks hit his first career homer, helping the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-3.

Furbush (1-0) pitched 3 2-3 scoreless innings of relief, suddenly entering the game after Detroit starter Phil Coke injured his right ankle.

He took advantage of the chance, two days after the highly touted left-hander was called up from Triple-A Toledo.

Victor Martinez hit a two-run double and Jhonny Peralta had a two-run single in the eighth inning to turn a one-run lead into a five-run cushion.

Jose Valverde gave up two runs in the ninth, but avoided a total collapse by getting ex-Tiger Johnny Damon to line out to Miguel Cabrera at first with two on for the final out.