Hernandez was called up from Class AAA Norfolk to make the start and limited the Tigers to five hits. He received plenty of long-ball support, with all of Baltimore's runs coming on homers.
Luke Scott hit a solo shot in the second and a three-run blast in the eighth.
Nolan Reimold produced what proved to be the game-winning run with a home run in the fifth, the second straight game in which he has homered.
Hernandez is the third pitcher on the Baltimore staff this year to win his first start in the majors -- joining Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken.
Armando Galarraga (3-5) was the hard-luck loser, giving up three runs on 10 hits in seven-plus innings. The Tigers have dropped four out of six.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
Post new comment