DETROIT -- Michael Fulmer added to one of the longest scoreless streaks by a rookie pitcher in Detroit Tigers history.
That's not the streak he's enjoying. The 23-year-old right-hander has not given up a run in 22 1/3 innings but he's more prideful of the team's upswing after they pounded the Toronto Blue Jays 11-0 on Monday at Comerica Park.
"What matters to me is the streak of wins we've put together," Fulmer said after his team notched its fourth straight victory.
Fulmer (6-1) allowed just two hits -- singles by Darwin Barney -- while tossing six scoreless innings. He walked three and struck out five while winning his fourth consecutive start.
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Fulmer's streak is the third longest by a rookie pitcher in franchise history. John Hiller tossed 28 2/3 scoreless frames in 1967 and Victor Santos had a 25-inning streak in 2001.
Even more impressive, Fulmer had to improvise because some of his pitches weren't working. Right fielder J.D. Martinez robbed Edwin Encarnacion of an extra-base hit with a leaping grab in the third with two runners on, preserving the streak.
"I definitely didn't have my best stuff," he said. "At the end of the day, it's zeroes on the board. They have a tough 1-2-3 (top of the lineup) and they put some good at-bats on me. But the defense backed me all the way."
He's also formed a strong rapport with second-year catcher James McCann.
"The big thing is trust," McCann said. "We've had instances where he wanted to go with something and I didn't. At the end of the day, it's his choice but I'm going to give him my reasoning. At times, he's gone with my reasoning."
McCann's biggest suggestion was for Fulmer to use his changeup early and more often. That occurred four starts ago against Tampa Bay and the only run Fulmer has allowed since then is a broken-bat homer to the Rays' Evan Longoria.
McCann backed up his pitcher offensively as well on Monday, opening the scoring with a three-run blast. Justin Upton supplied a two-run shot and drove in three runs while Ian Kinsler had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.
"I was ecstatic with the way the offense swung the bats tonight," Fulmer said. "I love this team and I feel we're going to stay hot."
Toronto starter J.A. Happ (6-3) allowed six runs on six hits in five innings. It was just the second time in 12 starts that he allowed more than three runs. The Blue Jays had won 10 of their last 13 games.
"He was just off," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "Guys run bad every now and then. He really couldn't get anything going."
Meanwhile, Happ's counterpart stymied Gibbons' club.
"That kid is really impressive," Gibbons said. "He was the key tonight, for use. He's got a good arm, he keeps the ball down, has a lot of life on his fastball and a razor-blade slider."
The Tigers took a 4-0 lead in the second. Center fielder Kevin Pillar misjudged Nick Castellanos' one-out fly ball and it sailed over him. That gave Castellanos his second triple of the season.
After a walk, McCann smoked Happ's 1-2 pitch over the left-field wall for his third homer of the year. The Jays then essentially gifted the Tigers a run after Ian Kinsler's two-out single. With Cameron Maybin batting, Happ committed a balk, catcher Russell Martin had a passed ball and Happ threw a wild pitch that allowed Kinsler to score.
Upton's two-out, two-run shot just cleared the right-field wall in the bottom of the third to make it 6-0.
Upton, Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera had RBI singles off reliever Gavin Floyd in the sixth to give Detroit a 9-0 lead.
NOTES: Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki should be ready to play once his 15 days on the disabled list are completed, manager John Gibbons said. Tulowitzki was placed on the disabled list on May 28 because of a right quadriceps strain. He has been working out at the team's spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla. "He's feeling better and swinging the bat down there," Gibbons said. ... Detroit LHP Matt Boyd will be making his second start against his former club on Tuesday. Boyd, who will oppose Aaron Sanchez, was included in the trade-deadline deal last season that sent David Price to Toronto. ... Tigers RHP Justin Verlander, who won his start against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, is 85-45 at Comerica Park. The Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver are the only other active pitchers 40 games above .500 at their home parks. ... The Blue Jays entered the game 12-4 since RF Jose Bautista was moved to the leadoff spot.
