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Greene perfect for 3 innings, Tigers beat Braves

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Shane Greene pitched three perfect innings in his second start for the Detroit Tigers, a 12-2 win over the split-squad Atlanta Braves on Friday.

Greene, obtained from the New York Yankees in a three-team trade over the winter, struck out two. He threw 23 strikes in 32 pitches.

''Very efficient,'' Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. ''He did what you want guys to do as starters in spring training.''

Greene, who was 5-4 with a 3.78 ERA as a rookie with the Yankees last season, pounded the strike zone with movement while hitting 95 mph on the scoreboard radar gun.

''That was a live fastball,'' Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Anthony Gose led off the game with a triple and also walked during a five-run first inning. Acquired from Toronto in a winter trade, Gose has three triples while going 12 for 22 in eight games this spring.

''He's continuing to hit the ball well, but I think he's probably smart when he says he's not getting carried away because it's just spring training,'' Ausmus said.

Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz managed just two outs before being pulled, although four of the runs were unearned. He allowed three hits and one of his two walks forced in a run.

''The inning unraveled on him,'' Gonzalez said.

The Braves were outscored 25-4 for the day, with the other split-squad team losing 13-2 to the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie.

STARTING TIME

Braves: Foltynewicz, obtained from Houston in the Evan Gattis trade, had his second straight rough outing. He went 1 2-3 innings in his first start, walking two and giving up four hits against the New York Mets. ''I'm anxious,'' Foltynewicz said. ''I'm just trying to do too much, impress people to show why they traded for me. I'm getting too tense.''

Tigers: Greene was much sharper with his command than when he allowed six hits and three runs over two innings against Houston. ''The first start I was leaving balls up a little bit,'' said Greene, who had an effective changeup against the Braves to go with his fastball, sinker and cutter.''Everything was really good (today).''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: Second baseman Ian Kinsler was scratched from the lineup because of a sore left shoulder. He is day to day, as is catcher Alex Avila (lower back) and left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (quad). ... First baseman Miguel Cabrera, rehabbing from foot surgery, will make the trip to Jupiter with the Tigers and work out on Sunday and Monday. He is running on flat ground but hasn't been cleared to run the bases. Cabrera, who is hitting and taking grounders, expects to be ready for opening day.

Braves: Right fielder Nick Markaksis, who had neck surgery in December, is yet to be cleared to take swings and his readiness for the season is in question. Gonzalez said he remains hopeful that Markakis will make opening day, but ''it's not set in stone.'' ... Left-handed reliever James Russell (turf toe) pitched for the first time this spring and retired six consecutive batters after a leadoff walk.

FOWL FOUL

During the Tigers' five-run top of the first a bird perched on top of the screen behind home plate was hit by a foul ball off the bat of catcher James McCann. Feathers went flying and the bird dropped into the first row.

UP NEXT

Tigers: Detroit plays split games Saturday for the second time in three days. Right-hander Anibal Sanchez will start the game at Lakeland against Philadelphia. Left-hander Kyle Lobstein pitches against the New York Yankees in Tampa.

Braves: Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez will make his third spring start on Saturday as the Braves face Houston in their first home night game. The veteran is bidding for a starting spot as a non-roster invitee.