DETROIT — Cubs right-hander Ben Brown came to love entering a game from the bullpen. ‘‘You hear the phone ring, you get going, all your guys are in there cheering you on,’

The Tigers lead the American League. The Cubs lead the National League. A Friday night and, aside from hazy skies, the weather in Detroit was flawless. And arguably the best pitcher in the world, Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, was taking the bump for Detroit.

Ben Brown has struggled in the first inning so far this season. While he works on a solution, the Chicago Cubs might try a different approach.

CHICAGO — The announcement for the Cubs’ starting probables over the weekend came later than usual. A text to reporters was sent Friday morning, just 20 minutes before the clubhouse would open for the day, announcing that day’s starters and the plan for the next two days.

After lefty reliever Drew Pomeranz’s 1-2-3 first inning, Brown threw six scoreless innings of one-hit ball, matching a season high with nine strikeouts and helping the Cubs to a 2-0 win.

Drew Pomeranz, Ben Brown, Brad Keller and Daniel Palencia combined on a one-hitter, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-0.

DETROIT -- Tarik Skubal delivered a big-game start and Spencer Torkelson hit a go-ahead home run to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in front of a sellout crowd of 40,132 on Friday night at Comerica Park.

It was not only great advertising for the Cubs-owned network, but also a shot in the arm for the Cubs offense, which had stranded four runners in scoring position over the first s