Tigers’ resurgent bats pick up Farmer in debut

Three weeks after Buck Farmer was pitching in low Class A West Michigan, he made his Major League debut with a no-decision. Alex Avila’s leadoff homer ignited a game-tying, three-run rally in the fifth inning before Nick Castellanos’ solo shot put Detroit ahead for good, ending the Tigers’ four-game losing streak with an 8-4 win over the Pirates Wednesday night.