Rick Porcello became the first pitcher younger than 21 to win at least 14 games since Dwight Gooden did a quarter of a century ago.
(AP) -- EAST LANSING, Mich. - Detroit Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello says he and Ryan Perry benefited from going through their rookie seasons together.
Porcello said Thursday during a stop on the team's winter caravan he learned to believe in himself after a rough patch rattled his confidence. Perry figured out he's better off thinking less on the mound.
The Tigers are counting on the hard-throwing, right-handers to avoid a sophomore slump after trading starting pitcher Edwin Jackson and not re-signing relievers Fernando Rodney or Brandon Lyon.
Porcello became the first pitcher younger than 21 to win at least 14 games since Dwight Gooden did a quarter of a century ago.
Perry ranked sixth among American League rookies with 53 appearances and had a 3.79 ERA.
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