Hicks notches first hit, Pressly first outing

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins' 8-2 win over the Tigers on Thursday featured a few firsts, as center fielder Aaron Hicks picked up his first career hit and reliever Ryan Pressly made his Major League debut and had his first strikeout.

Right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who had Tommy John surgery on May 1, also made his first start since April 21, 2012, and picked up his first victory since Aug. 24, 2011.

"There were a lot of good things going on," Pelfrey said. "Hicks got his first hit and Pressly had his first outing. So hopefully this will carry over."

Hicks' first hit came in the eighth inning on a two-run single to right field off Brayan Villareal that capped a five-run inning for the Twins. It snapped an 0-for-11 streak with seven strikeouts for Hicks to begin his career.

"It felt amazing," Hicks said. "It just seems like I was too anxious out there. I was swinging at stuff out of the zone. So it was a big situation to get that first hit and it takes the pressure off."

Pressly, meanwhile, tossed a scoreless ninth inning. A Rule 5 Draft pick from the Red Sox in December, Pressly gave up a leadoff single to Omar Infante but was able to retire Austin Jackson, Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera to close out the game.