SAN DIEGO_Luis Perdomo put on a clinic in damage control, if not pinpoint command, Friday night.
The San Diego Padres' second-year big-leaguer walked three of the Detroit Tigers' first four batters, necessitating a mound visit from pitching coach Darren Balsley. He threw only 54 of 98 pitches for strikes.
But he also induced a pair of inning-ending double plays. He collected six strikeouts in as many innings. He did not allow a hit until the fifth.
Perdomo's first scoreless start of the season, combined with Cory Spagenberg's patience and a ringing double from Austin Hedges, helped the Padres to a 1-0 victory over Detroit at Petco Park.
Despite five walks issued by Perdomo, despite a nearly pristine effort from Tigers starter Michael Fulmer, despite a meager offensive output, San Diego secured its fourth shutout win this year.
Without lineup linchpin Yangervis Solarte, who officially landed on the disabled list Friday with an oblique strain, the Padres managed just two hits off Fulmer and none against reliever Shane Greene.
They made one of them count.
After third baseman Spangenberg drew a leadoff walk in the second, Hedges came up with two outs. It was his first plate appearance since Monday's thigh-bruising collision with Anthony Rizzo in Chicago. When Fulmer threw a 1-2 slider, Hedges took it the other way, sending a liner into the right-center gap. Spangenberg, who had advanced to second on a groundout, scored the game's first run.
There would not be another.
Perdomo issued a fourth walk in the third before a strikeout to end the inning. He handed out another two-out free pass in the fourth, then fielded a comebacker and tossed the ball to first.
Andrew Romine led off the fifth with the Tigers' first hit, a single, but he was stranded as Perdomo notched consecutive strikeouts and induced a groundout.
Alex Avila led off the sixth with another single, but Perdomo retired the next three batters.
Padres relievers Ryan Buchter, Brad Hand and Brandon Maurer each threw a scoreless inning, sealing the whitewashing. The Tigers finished with three hits and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Detroit manager Brad Ausmus was ejected in the eighth after Ian Kinsler was rung up on a check swing.
