Tigers 10, Nationals 2

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Zach Miner made his bid for a spot in Detroit's rotation, pitching three innings Thursday in the Tigers' 10-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Shawn Hill, however, didn't get a chance to show his stuff. The right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start for Washington after feeling discomfort in his right forearm.

Hill has pitched only one inning this spring. Nationals manager Manny Acta said Hill started feeling some pain in his arm on Sunday during a bullpen session but didn't inform the team until Tuesday.

Acta said Hill reported he was ready to pitch on Thursday. But to be on the safe side, he was flown to Pensacola, Fla., to see a physician.

Jeff Larish hit two homers and a long double for Detroit. He is one of four players competing for one of the final roster spots.

Marcus Thames and Matt Treanor also homered for the Tigers.

Making his first start this spring, Miner retired his first five batters before allowing two runs in the second inning.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland has said all spring that Miner has a chance to win the final spot in the rotation. Justin Verlander, Armando Galarraga, Jeremy Bonderman and Edwin Jackson appear to have jobs locked up, with Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson leading the competition for the last opening.

Prized prospect Rick Porcello and Miner are long shots, but Miner has turned some heads. He has pitched in Detroit for parts of the past three seasons and started 13 games for the Tigers last year, going 8-5 with a 4.27 ERA.

Miner said he prefers a starting role to pitching out of the bullpen.

"I don't want this to be a competition even though I know it is," he said. "I watch Dontrelle and Nate and Rick and see what they are doing, but it comes down to what I am doing and things I can't control. I just want to spend the spring building off of every experience and think, all I want is a chance."

Miner fought to get ahead of hitters against the Nationals, but settled down after his struggles in the second inning. Leyland said it was a sign of Miner's maturity that he has shown in each of his stints in Detroit.

"He's mature and we're going to give him a chance," Leyland said. "I am very confident with him in any position, starting or relieving."

Miner thinks maturity is the key to sticking in the majors.

"I feel comfortable and I felt good that when I struggled I didn't let it snowball," Miner said. "I like to think I am mature on the mound, but I still have my moments."

He'll get another chance next week, likely on Tuesday against St. Louis. Miner said he didn't know if he would be starting or coming out of the bullpen, but shrugged and said he didn't care.

"It doesn't matter," he said. "I don't care where I pitch as long as I show them what I have. I have learned a lot of lessons this spring and I just want to keep doing the best I can do."

The Nationals hope the injury-plagued Hill will be back on the mound soon.

"It's early in camp and we still have plenty of time to go," Acta said. "If it isn't serious, he'll be ready by opening day."

Acta said that Hill, who had arthroscopic surgery on his elbow last September, was being counted on in the Nationals' rotation.

Gustavo Chacin started for Washington, allowing three runs and four hits in 2 2-3 innings. He walked four.

Game notes
Tigers C Gerald Laird left after the first inning with a mild left quadriceps injury. He was hurt while running out a single and is day-to-day. ... Bonderman played catch to stretch out his arm. He was sent back to Detroit to have his arm checked and returned Monday night. Leyland said Bonderman looked fine and has a shot at making the opening-day roster if all goes well ... Macay McBride, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is doubtful to make the team out of spring training, but Leyland said he isn't counting anything out. McBride pitched in 20 games for the Tigers last season.