The Tigers and Athletics entered the week, respetively, with the best records in the American League. After this week’s four game series, the A’s now lead the AL with a 33-21 record.
After losing four in a row last weekend, the A’s returned to Oakland to get back on track. Here is a brief summary of how the A’s leapt over the Tigers in the AL standings:
Game 1 final score: Athletics 10, Tigers 0
After struggling to find any offense in Toronto over the weekend, the A’s returned to the Coliseum in a big way, hitting five home runs in Monday’s game – highlighted by a Derek Norris grand slam in the 8th inning to erase any thoughts of a potential comeback from the Tigers. The A’s scored two runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings, including two solo HR’s in both the 2nd and 3rd innings.
Tommy Milone continued his winning ways with another solid performance, going 6.2 IP and only allowing four hits while striking out six. Dan Otero and Sean Doolittle finished the game from the bullpen to preserve the shutout.
Game 2 final score: Tigers 6, Athletics 5
In what was penciled in as a pitcher’s duel, Tuesday’s matchup between Max Scherzer and Sonny Gray was anything but. Both pitchers struggled to get through six innings of work, with Scherzer giving up all five of the A’s runs, while Gray gave up four runs and left the game to the A’s bullpen. Dan Otero and Fernando Abad struggled to retain the A’s lead as Otero gave up a homerun to Torii Hunter in the 7th inning and Abad walked two batters and gave up the winning run on a fielder’s choice.
Game 3 final score: Athletics 3, Tigers 1
The pitcher’s duel came one day later than expected as Anibal Sanchez and Scott Kazmir went toe-to-toe on Wednesday night. Kazmir pitched a complete game, allowing the one run on another home run from Torii Hunter, while striking out eight. Sanchez went 8.1 IP while striking out nine but left the game to Joe Nathan. Nathan came in and didn’t record an out, giving up a single to John Jaso and then the game winning, walk off home run to Josh Donaldson.
Game 4 final score: Tigers 5, Athletics 4
The A’s continued to put men on base Thursday afternoon and continued to leave them there without cross home plate. The club left 14 men on base and despite more 9th inning dramatics, fell short in the series finale. After a below average start from Jesse Chavez, Jim Johnson came in to pitch the 7th inning and proceeded to give up three hits and two runs, which wound up being the difference at the end of the game.
In the bottom of the 9th, the A’s fell just a little short of another walk off, come from behind victory as they got to Joe Nathan for two runs. Jed Lowrie pinch hit for Eric Sogard with two men on base but grounded out to first base to end the game.
What’s Next?
The A’s now turn their attention to the LA Angels who are three games behind the Athletics in the AL West. Pitching matchups remain the same from that seen in the weekly preview, highlighted by Sunday’s faceoff between Sonny Gray and Jered Weaver.