Tigers' Brad Penny struggles as Mets win, 7-4

Lucas Duda had three hits while filling in for ailing Angel Pagan and the New York Mets roughed up Brad Penny for five runs in the second inning before holding off the Detroit Tigers 7-4.

Before the game, Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced that Will Rhymes had won the second base job. Last year’s opening-day starter, Scott Sizemore, was sent to the minors.

Rhymes batted .304 in 54 games last season. Three-time All-Star Carlos Guillen was expected to be a possibility at second, but he is still out with an injury to his left knee.

Leyland said last season’s success was enough to give Rhymes an upper hand during the audition this spring. Guillen hasn’t batted yet in camp and Sizemore was hitting .243. Rhymes has batted .289 and played a solid second base.

Daniel Schlereth pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Tigers, a week after walking four batters in one-third of an inning against St. Louis.