PITTSBURGH -- Alfredo Simon allowed two hits in eight innings and Rajai Davis homered for the only run as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 on Wednesday night for their fourth shutout of the season.

The Tigers blanked the Pirates for the second straight night to take two games in the three-game series. Detroit (8-1) has won each of its first three series in becoming the first major league team to reach eight wins.

Simon (2-0), acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in an offseason trade, did not walk a batter and struck two.

Right-hander Joakim Soria pitched a perfect ninth inning for his fourth save.

Davis led off the sixth by hitting his first home run of the season off Francisco Liriano (0-1), which just reached the first row of the left-center field bleachers.

Liriano was sharp during a six-inning outing, though he had not pitched since the April 6 opener against the Reds at Cincinnati. The left-hander missed his scheduled start Sunday against the Brewers in Milwaukee while on the paternity list as his wife gave birth to a daughter.

Liriano gave up four hits and one walk while striking out seven. Yet a lack of offensive support dropped his career record against the Tigers to 5-9.

The Tigers held the Pirates (3-6) scoreless for the final 20 innings of the series.

The Pirates' lone two hits came when center fielder Andrew McCutchen and second baseman Neil Walker had back-to-back singles with two outs in the fourth. However, slumping left fielder Starling Marte bounced into an inning-ending force out.

Marte went 0-for-3 and is hitting .103 with 14 strikeouts in 29 at-bats

Home plate umpire Jerry Layne was forced out of the game in the top of the ninth when he was struck in the mask by a pitch from Pirates closer Mark Melancon that caromed off catcher Francisco Cervelli's mitt.

The Tigers used the stolen base to put runners in scoring twice in the early innings but weren't able to cash in either time in what was then a scoreless game.

Right fielder J.D. Martinez was stranded at second base in the second inning after third baseman Nick Castellanos lined out and catcher James McCann struck out. An inning later, shortstop Jose Iglesias was left on second as Davis flied out and second baseman Ian Kinsler lined out.

NOTES: Tigers RHP Justin Verlander's simulated game on Wednesday afternoon was stopped after three innings and 45 pitches because he was fatigued. The Tigers had hoped Verlander, who is on the disabled list with a strained right triceps, would be able to go at least four innings and 60 pitches, and possibly even be stretched to 75 pitches. Manager Brad Ausmus said a decision would be made Friday on whether Verlander's next step would be another simulated game or a minor league rehab start. Wednesday marked the first time tht Verlander faced hitters since March 27 in an exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays. ... Pirates RHP Charlie Morton will pitch Sunday in an extended spring training game against Yankees minor leaguers in Tampa, Fla. He is on the DL while rehabbing from right hip surgery performed last September. ... Both teams are off Thursday. On Friday afternoon, the Tigers open a three-game series at home against the Chicago White Sox, with LHP David Price (1-0, 0.00) facing RHP Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 6.23). On Friday night, the Pirates begin a three-game home series with the Milwaukee Brewers as Pittsburgh LHP Jeff Locke (1-0, 3.00) faces RHP Jimmy Nelson (1-0, 0.00).