The Detroit Tigers faced the Boston Red Sox in their home opener at Comerica Park on Thursday, April 5, 2012. Starter Justin Verlander pitched eight shut-out innings and struck out seven men and walked one batter. Boston pitcher Jon Lester pitched seven innings – giving up one run on six Detroit hits. Verlander gave up two hits before Jose Valverde entered the game. Papa Grande then gave up two runs and three hits. His pitching performance provided the most drama of the afternoon, but the Tiger’s held on to win the opener, 3-2, in front of 45,027 fans. Jose Valverde was credited with the win.
