Turner fans eight in first Triple-A win

For the first time since June 30, Jacob Turner found himself back in the win column.

MLB.com's No. 7 prospect allowed two runs on five hits over six innings Sunday, striking out eight as Triple-A Toledo beat Louisville, 9-2.

Turner (1-0) did not walk a batter -- the first time he's done that at any level this season -- en route to his first victory in six starts.

"I was able to get ahead of a lot of guys, which opens up all the other pitches," the Tigers righty said. "I had a good breaking ball tonight, and that really helped me."

After a rocky first inning in which he gave up one run on three hits, Turner did not allow a baserunner until Jeremy Hermida tripled with one out in the fourth. Following a RBI single by Daniel Dorn, the 20-year-old retired the final seven batters he faced.

"I thought I got better as the game went along," Turner said. "I was able to keep the team in the game long enough for them to bust out and score some runs. It was a good team win."

The ninth overall selection in 2009, Turner posted a 3.48 ERA in 17 starts for Double-A Erie before earning a promotion. He made a spot start for the Tigers on July 30, then followed with his Triple-A debut Aug. 11 -- with an attempt to limit his innings accounting for the long delay. He tossed 5 1/3 innings in both games, allowing two runs with the Tigers and four with the Mud Hens.

Turner said even though he had already appeared in the Major Leagues, he was still happy to make his Triple-A debut.

"It's exciting that even though I was getting sent down, I was still moving up a level [from Double-A]," he said. "Obviously, you want to do good at each level they put you at. No matter what the situation, you want to make the most of it."

Through three games above Double-A, Turner has found the hitting to be better, but nothing he feels he can't deal with.

"I think your pitches just have to be a little bit sharper," he said. "Hitters are going be a bit better, the strike zone might be a bit smaller. But at the end of the day, it's still the same game. If you stay with your stuff, you should be fine."

While Turner appears to be a prime candidate for the Tigers' rotation next year, he said he hasn't put too much thought into it.

"I'll leave that up to the upper management," he said. "I'll just do my best in Toledo for the rest of the season. Whatever they decide next year, I'll do the best I can."