Oakland Athletics Recap 4/27: A’s Lose To Tigers 9-4
Oakland Athletics Lose To Tigers 9-4, Sonny Gray Lasts Only Two Innings
96. Final. 9. 63. 4
The Oakland Athletics lost a frosty game in Comerica Park tonight against the Detroit Tigers, 9-4. On a night where temperatures got to the low 40s, the Tigers thumped on the Athletics. Justin Verlander, in a performance that called back to his old dominance, threw 6 1/3 innings and got the win. Both J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez hit three-run home runs as the Athletics pitching staff could not defend against the homer. Sonny Gray, who started for the A’s, was unable to go beyond two innings and 65 pitches. He threw the shortest start in his career and earned the loss after giving up four runs.
The Tigers tried a new lineup tonight with J.D. Martinez being put in the second spot in the lineup and Justin Upton batting fifth. Brad Ausmus apparently tried this in order to jump-start their offense:
Ausmus pregame on new-look lineup: "If we score 8 runs tonight, it's not going to be a temporary fix. You'll see a similar lineup tomorrow."
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) April 28, 2016
Looks like it worked. It helped J.D. Martinez break out of a slump with the aforementioned three-run home run.
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The A’s piled as much offense as they could, getting eight hits and four runs. Oakland’s most expensive (and alliterative) hitters in Coco Crisp and Billy Butler were able to get RBI and hits. Khris Davis crushed a solo home run to center field which was estimated at 446 feet against Verlander. But poor fielding doomed the A’s yet again. The A’s gave up a base to Anthony Gose on a fielding error by Marcus Semien. Subsequently, Gose was able to score on an error on a pickoff attempt by Ryan Dull. Finally, a wild pitch by Marc Rzepczynski resulted in a run.
The A’s bullpen, normally lights out, was awful today. Every pitcher the A’s presented against the Tigers was credited with a run. Many fans may think that the A’s should have held onto Andrew Triggs a day longer instead of optioning him for catcher Matt McBride. McBride’s contract was purchased by the A’s this morning, a little surprising especially as he was offered a deal to play in Japan.
Nevertheless, McBride is expected to cede his roster spot to A’s number one pitching prospect Sean Manaea. Manaea will make his Major League debut on Friday in the first game of an Oakland homestand vs. the Houston Astros.
Next: Sean Manaea to Make Debut Friday
Tomorrow, the A’s play against the Tigers in their final game of a four game series. Both pitchers are looking to improve their season stats as Chris Bassitt faces Anibal Sanchez. First pitch is at 10:10 AM PST.