By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Athletics 12, Tigers 3– The Oakland Athletics cruised past the Tigers on Saturday afternoon to even the three-game series.
The A’s scored five runs in the fifth inning and four in the seventh to break a 3-3 tie.
Oakland was paced by Khris Davis with a double, home run and three RBIs while Billy Butler added a homer and three RBIs. Jake Smolinski chipped in with a double, triple and two RBIs.
The Tigers were led in a losing effort by Victor Martinez with a two-run homer while Justin Upton and Jose Iglesias each doubled.
Detroit’s starting pitcher Matt Boyd took a no-decision, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven batters in five innings.
Tigers’ relief pitcher struggled, allowing five runs in a third of an inning and was handed his first loss of the season.
The Tigers are now 24-24 on the season, good for fourth place in the American League Central Division behind the Cleveland Indians.
Detroit will look to bounce back and win the series with a victory over Oakland on Sunday afternoon.
Record: 24-24
4th Place in AL Central Division (2.5 games behind Cleveland)
3.5 games behind Texas for last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 118
Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 118
Next Game: 05/29/2016 @ Oakland Athletics 4:05 p.m. @ Oakland Coliseum
Hitting stats: Victor Martinez HR (7) 2 RBI (29), Justin Upton 2B (11), Jose Iglesias 2B (5), Ian Kinsler 2 SB (6).
Pitching stats: Warwick Saupold L (1-1) .1 IP 5 H 5 R 5 ER 0 BB 0 K, Matt Boyd 5 IP 6 H 3 R 3 ER 0 BB 7 K.
