LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -Most managers want their pitchers to keep it low and away. Not Jim Leyland, at least when it comes to Joel Zumaya.

Making his spring debut, Zumaya allowed three earned runs in two innings of the Detroit Tigers' 17-7 win over the Houston Astros on Friday.

``He's unusual,' Leyland said of Zumaya. ``He gets hit when he pitches down in the zone. He's better pitching it high because, with his speed, the batters know they need to stick the bat down low to hit him. They can't when he's high.'

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Zumaya, who throws near 100 mph, has struggled with shoulder injuries since pitching 62 games in 2006. Since then, he's pitched little more than he did in all of 2006, but he's still expected to be a key setup man in the bullpen for new closer Jose Valverde.

Zumaya and Valverde are expected to fill the void left when Fernando Rodney left for the Angels via free agency. Leyland said he can put up with Zumaya's well-documented theatrics as long as he gets the ball over the plate.

``He's like a bull on a chain,' Leyland said. ``As far as his personality, he's an excited guy and I don't want him to change a thing. If he can keep his pitches under control, we're all fine with it.'

The Tigers had 16 hits and capitalized on 11 walks. Houston reliever Polin Trinidad walked all four batters he faced to lead off the eighth inning before being lifted. The Tigers scored seven in the eight inning to pull away.

Don Kelly homered for the Tigers and went 2 for 2 with two RBIs. Carlos Guillen added two doubles for the Tigers, Ryan Raburn scored three runs and starter Eddie Bonine allowed one run in two innings in his first start of the spring.

Chris Johnson went 3 for 4 with three doubles for the Astros. Wandy Rodriguez allowed three runs and three walks in two innings.

Rodriguez said he wasn't too disappointed with his effort for the first time out.

``I threw too many pitches and made mistakes, but it was my first time out,' Rodriguez said. ``I am getting comfortable.'

NOTES: Veteran reliever Bobby Seay was estimated to be out for the first few spring training games with a pain in his upper left arm, but he remains sidelined and has given no indication when he might be ready. Leyland said he couldn't comment on Seay's situation. Seay pitched in 67 games for the Tigers last season. Leyland rested rookie second baseman Scott Sizemore, but said Sizemore is working well with 3B Brandon Inge and SS Adam Everett. Leyland watched Jacob Turner, 19, pitch in his first professional game Friday morning along with Andy Oliver in a ``B' outing before the regular game. They were the Tigers' first two draft picks last summer. He was impressed by both and said it wouldn't be long before they moved on to Detroit.