LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) _ Kevin Brown says he feels his age. If that's true, it sure doesn't show.

The 35-year-old right-hander threw five shutout innings against Detroit's opening day lineup as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tigers 4-1 Saturday.

Todd Hundley and Chad Kreuter hit solo homers for the Dodgers. Wendell Magee hit an inside-the-park homer for Detroit.

``It gets harder and harder,'' said Brown, who allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out five. ``I haven't felt especially sharp the last couple of times out. But I felt better today. It's one of the mysteries of spring training.''

This was the fourth start for Brown (1-0), who led the Dodgers in 1999 with an 18-9 record and a 3.00 ERA. In 16 innings this spring, he has allowed 10 hits and four runs, just three of which were earned. He has issued three walks while striking out 16.

``Spring training is just getting ready for the season,'' Brown said. ``I'm satisfied where I am, but I'm always looking for a little edge.''

Dave Mlicki (0-1) also went five innings, giving up two runs on five hits for the Tigers who played their regulars together for the first time all spring.

``Brown's tough. But we were just getting ready to get to him,'' new Detroit manager Phil Garner said with a laugh. ``Davey Johnson was smart to take him out. It might have hurt his confidence.''

Garner could afford to laugh. With a lineup that includes Juan Gonzalez, Tony Clark and Dean Palmer, the Tigers are likely to score a lot of runs.

Dodgers outfielder Brent Cookson was shaken up on Magee's ninth-inning homer. Cookson slammed hard into the padded left-field wall trying to catch the ball. Cookson went down and the ball rolled away. By the time center-fielder Devon White could get over to pick up the ball, Magee had circled the bases.

Cookson stayed down for a couple of minutes, then walked off slowly with the trainer.