Eovaldi topples Tigers for 1st win with Yankees

DETROIT -- Nathan Eovaldi picked up his first win with the Yankees on Tuesday night, shutting down a potent Tigers lineup and flashing the potential the Yankees saw when they traded for him this offseason.

Unable to get through six innings in his first two starts with the Yankees, Eovaldi efficiently pitched seven-plus strong innings at Comerica Park as New York beat Detroit, 5-2.

"I can't think of too many other lineups up and down that are as strong as they are," Yankees outfielder Chris Young said. "For him to come in, keep them off-balance and pitch the way he did today, that lets you know what his ceiling is."

The victory was not only Eovaldi's first with the Yankees -- it was his first since Aug. 8, snapping an 11-start stretch without a win.

"It feels good," Eovaldi said. "It feels really good."

The 25-year-old right-hander allowed one run on eight hits and a walk. He threw 94 pitches, the same number he needed to pitch 5 1/3 innings in his season debut.

"He's a strike-thrower. He throws a lot of strikes," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "And he threw a lot of quality strikes. I thought he used both sides of the plate with his fastball tonight really effectively."

Eovaldi also benefited from four double plays, including one he started himself by snagging a hard-hit comebacker.

Video: NYY@DET: Eovaldi catches line drive, turns two

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild helped Eovaldi make a few tweaks between starts, raising his arm angle and focusing on keeping his arm as close to his body as possible.

Eovaldi leaned heavily on his slider against the predominantly right-handed Tigers lineup, striking out four.

"He does a lot of things right," Girardi said. "And with the quality stuff he has, I think he has a chance to be really successful."