PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pirates had the right hitter up in the key spots Tuesday night, but Brian Giles couldn't give Pittsburgh the results it expected.

Giles went 0-for-4, stranding six runners, as the Pirates scored only one run despite getting 11 hits off five Detroit pitchers in a 2-1 loss to the Tigers.

"We had a lot of chances," Pirates manager Gene Lamont said. "The one that really hurt us was in the first inning. It seems like when you blow a chance in the first inning it comes back to bite you and it did."

The Pirates loaded the bases with one out in the first but didn't score. Willie Blair struck out John Vander Wal and got Kevin Young to fly out.

"I wasn't sharp in the first inning," Blair said. "I was up in the strike zone but I got out if it. That's something I take pride in. I think I've done it pretty well over my career."

Deivi Cruz homered and Juan Gonzalez had an RBI single for the Tigers, who have had problems scoring runs all year. This time, the pitching staff made two runs hold up.

Blair and four relievers stranded 12 Pirates baserunners.

"Just a tremendous job by our bullpen," Tigers manager Phil Garner said.

Jimmy Anderson (1-4) lost despite allowing only three hits and one run in seven innings. Anderson walked the game's first two batters before giving up an RBI single to Gonzalez, who returned after sitting out Monday's game with a bruised foot.

Anderson probably saved his spot in the rotation with his best start since April.

"He was outstanding," Lamont said. "He kept the ball down and threw strikes. He minimized the damage in the first inning and gave us a chance."

Cruz led off the eighth with a homer, his second, off Josias Manzanillo.

The Pirates finally broke through in the eighth. John Vander Wal doubled off Brocail and, two outs later, Mike Benjamin hit a triple. Benjamin was left at third when pinch hitter Adrian Brown grounded out.

Blair allowed seven hits and no runs in 4 1/3 before leaving with runners on first and second. C.J. Nitkowski (3-7) got the last two outs in the fifth. He struck out Giles and got Vander Wal to ground out.

Todd Jones pitched a hitless ninth for his 17th save in 18 chances.

Game notes
Tigers catcher Brad Ausmus batted leadoff for the fifth time this season. He's already hit in six spots in the order. He's been used most often at second, starting 28 games there. ... Gonzalez has hit in 15 of his last 18 games and has 13 RBIs in that stretch. ... Anderson has been scored upon in the first inning in seven consecutive starts. ... The first-inning announcement of new Pirates base coaches Trent Jewett and Tommy Sandt was greeted by applause. Jewett worked at third and Sandt at first after Jack Lind and Joe Jones were fired from those jobs Tuesday. ... Pirates 2B Warren Morris was unavailable because of a bruised ankle he sustained in Monday's game. Abraham Nunez, just up from Triple-A Nashville, replaced him.