By Mike Petraglia / MLB.com

Carlos Pena went 3-for-4 and drove in the winning run in a 9-8 Tigers win over Boston Sunday.

No sooner had the highly touted first baseman unpacked his Oakland A's equipment bag in the Tigers clubhouse, he was showing manager Luis Pujols what he is capable of, grounding a sharp one-hopper past former Tiger Tony Clark and down the right field line for a double on the first pitch he saw in a Detroit uniform. It was the start of a 3-for-4 day for Pena, who drove in the winning run in a 9-8 Tigers win.

Pena played his last game for the Oakland organization at Triple-A Sacramento before being dealt to Detroit just before midnight Friday in a three-way trade that sent Jeff Weaver to the Yankees. He didn't arrive at his cross-country destination until Saturday night.

"I just got some dinner late and went to the hotel and got some rest," said the newest Tigers first baseman. "It was nice coming back to Boston because my family is here (Haverhill, Mass.) and I left 11 tickets. When I found out I was coming here, I was excited."

The second-inning two-base hit was just the beginning for Pena Sunday. He worked a walk in his second at-bat and reprised his first inning debut in the fifth when he doubled home Damian Jackson with two outs, giving Detroit the lead, 5-4.

Then came the game's big moment and Pena's opportunity to shine. With two outs and Tigers on second and third in an 8-8 contest, Pena grounded a 2-2 pitch from lefty Chris Haney into the hole. Nomar Garciaparra fielded the ball but had no chance to throw out the runner at first. Pena had his third hit and second RBI when Ramon Santiago crossed the plate.

Carlos Peña   /   1B
		Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 Bats/Throws: L/L

"They were pretty tough at-bats, especially that last one," said Pena. "Facing a tough lefty who threw from the side. It was difficult for us lefty hitters to hit those guys. I just tried to do the best I could and hang in there with the slider and sinker. I was able to make contact with a sinker down and in and it just went in the hole."

Added Tigers hitting coach Merv Rettenmund, "It was especially nice to see him get that last hit, considering nothing ever gets through their left side of the infield. That was a big at-bat."

Pujols looked at the bigger picture and the results, considering Jeff Weaver got the win in his Yankees debut Sunday, despite giving up a pair of three-run homers.

"I heard (during the game) that he gave up a three-run homer but he got the win. This guy (Pena) got three hits and (Weaver) got the win. Good trade," said the Tigers manager with a hearty laugh.

What was good was Pena's overall play Sunday. Not only did he drive in the winning run and add two doubles and a walk for good measure, he played solid defense. The play of the day was his nice backhanded stab of a Johnny Damon grounder and throw to winner Jeff Farnsworth to end the fifth.

"It was perfect. Doubles and played defense and had the winning hit," said Pujols.

Pujols is hardly a stranger to Pena. For the last two off-seasons, he managed against the super prospect-turned-Major Leaguer in Winter Ball, where the first baseman sharpened his skills with Licey.

"That's what I saw in winter ball," said Pujols, the manager of Escogido. "He got three hits, used all fields and he made all the plays at first base, especially on a ball down the line. He made a nice grab there. I know he wasn't hitting a lot in Oakland (.218) but he had the chance to come up here a little bit early and get a few swings in. He went out and produced for us. I'm glad for him.

When Pena did arrive at Fenway Sunday, he made sure to put his swing on display for Pujols and Rettenmund during early batting practice.

"Merv saw him for the first time take BP today and everybody like his swing," said Pujols. "His bat spent a lot of time through the strike zone and you do that, you are going to get a lot of hits. Hopefully, he'll keep going from now on."

With the injuries to players like Dmitri Young, Damion Easley and Chris Truby piling up, Pena is one storyline the Tigers figure to be worth watching in the second half.

"On occasion, you don't know when we're in the middle of our lineup," joked Rettenmund. "We've got a lot of injuries right now and we told him that. Who cares? Put him out there and let him go. And as long as we're having fun and we keep looking at it like that, he'll take some good swings."

"His first couple of at-bats today were really outstanding," Rettenmund said.

The Tigers head into the All-Star break with a 31-54 mark, with Sunday's win marking just the 14th time in 47 tries that Detroit has won away from Comerica Park.

"Today was a lot of fun out there. I'm glad we came out with the win and I was able to contribute. There's going to be better days and there's going to be worse days. So, there's truly nothing to get that excited about. We have a lot of season left."

Mike Petraglia is a reporter for MLB.com. He can be reached via email at Mike.Petraglia@mlb.com.This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or any of its clubs.