ATHLETICS 7, TIGERS 5
DETROIT -- The Oakland Athletics are finally enjoying a modest winning streak, and Manager Bob Melvin isn't about to let the league standings spoil this encouraging stretch.
"We're just trying to play good -- win as many games as we can," he said. "We're about trying to climb toward .500, and then worry about where you are in the standings."
Jesse Hahn allowed one run in seven innings and the A's completed a three-game sweep of Detroit on Thursday, winning 7-5 and handing the Tigers their seventh consecutive loss. Oakland has won a season-high four in a row and six of seven.
Now, the reality check: The A's (23-33) still have the worst record in the American League.
If Oakland is able to make it back to .500, the starting pitching may be the impetus. Over the last 22 games, Oakland starters are 9-8 with a 2.23 ERA.
"We have some good arms in our starting rotation," Hahn said. "It starts with Sonny Gray, and everyone kind of feeds off him."
Hahn (3-5) gave up 5 hits, struck out 5 and walked 1.
Detroit scored four times in the ninth, including a three-run home run by Tyler Collins. Tyler Clippard got two outs for his ninth save.
Josh Phegley hit a two-run triple in the second inning for Oakland.
Shane Greene (4-5) allowed 6 runs -- 4 earned -- and 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He made a throwing error that contributed to Detroit's trouble.
The Tigers have lost seven in a row for the first time since April 26 to May 2, 2011, according to STATS. That was the year they began their current streak of four consecutive AL Central titles.
"Everything is under a microscope when you are losing like this, but there has been no change to our daily routine and no change in the guys' attitudes," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "We come ready to play but right now the ball is not rolling in our direction."
Detroit has not lost more than seven consecutive since an eight-game skid in 2005.
Oakland's three-run second inning set the tone Thursday.
With runners on first and third and nobody out, Eric Sogard hit a grounder to the pitcher, and Greene threw wildly to second for an error. A run came home on that play, and Phegley's first career triple made it 3-0.
Billy Butler hit an RBI double in the third and a run-scoring single in the fifth. Left fielder Daniel Fields, who entered in the third for his major league debut, overran the ball for an error on Butler's fifth-inning hit, allowing another run to score.
Detroit managed only one hit in the first five innings before putting together a mild rally in the sixth. Miguel Cabrera's RBI single made it 6-1, but Fields struck out with two on to end the inning.
Fields doubled to right in the ninth for his first hit. He was sent back to the minors after the game. Detroit expects outfielder Rajai Davis to be back from the paternity list in time for Friday's game.
ORIOLES 3, ASTROS 2 Adam Jones had three hits, including a solo home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Baltimore Orioles to a victory over the host Houston Astros. With the score 2-2 in the eighth inning and two outs, Jones drove a pitch from Chad Qualls (1-3) into the Crawford Boxes in left field. Jones has five hits in his last two games following a 0-for-12 slump. Wei-Yin Chen yielded 2 runs and 5 hits in 6 1/3 innings with a season-high 9 strikeouts. Darren O'Day (2-0) struck out two in one inning and lowered his ERA to 0.89, and Zach Britton got four outs for his 14th save in 15 chances, stopping Baltimore's five-game losing streak. Hank Conger had a home run and a double for the Astros, who at an AL-best 34-21 are off to the best start in franchise history. Orioles Manager Buck Showalter was ejected in the second inning by umpire Brian Gorman after going to home plate, gesturing and yelling at him. His ejection came after Ryan Flaherty struck out after two called strikes. Houston starter Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas Razorbacks) matched his shortest start this season at six innings after consecutive complete games. He allowed two runs and six hits with seven strikeouts.
TWINS 8, RED SOX 4 Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval mishandled a throw on a bunt in the ninth inning, and the visiting Minnesota Twins broke away from Boston for a four-game split. Torii Hunter (Pine Bluff) hit his 200th home run in a Twins uniform and added two singles. Hunter's career 339th home run was a three-run shot. Kurt Suzuki singled three times, helping Minnesota to its ninth victory in 12 games. Blake Swihart hit his first major league home run and Dustin Pedroia also had a solo home run for Boston, which has lost eight of 11. The Twins trailed 4-0 going into the fifth. It was 4-all in the ninth when Minnesota put runners on first and second with no outs against Koji Uehara (2-3). Joe Mauer bunted and catcher Swihart threw to third -- low, but catchable-- and the ball went under Sandoval's glove, allowing Brian Dozier to score the go-ahead run. Trevor Plouffe followed with an RBI single, Eduardo Escobar doubled home a run and Shane Robinson had a sacrifice fly off Craig Breslow. Aaron Thompson (1-1) worked one scoreless inning for the victory.
INDIANS 6, ROYALS 2 (8) Brandon Moss hit a two-run home run and visiting Cleveland beat Kansas City in a game called in the eighth inning because of rain. Trevor Bauer (5-2) allowed only a long two-run home run by Lorenzo Cain over 6 2/3 innings to continue his hot streak.
RANGERS 2, WHITE SOX 1 (11) Shinsoo Choo’s single beat Chicago and its defensive shift, sending host Texas to a victory in 11 innings. Texas starter Yovani Gallardo gave up 3 hits, 2 walks and 1 unearned run in his 6 innings.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
REDS 6, PHILLIES 4 Anthony DeSclafani threw seven effective innings, Brandon Phillips had three hits and two RBI and Cincinnati beat host Philadelphia to avoid a three-game sweep. DeSclafani (4-4) allowed four runs and six hits. CUBS 2, NATIONALS 1 Jake Arrieta pitched six strong innings, and visiting Chicago made two first-inning runs hold up as they defeated Washington. Arrieta (5-4) rebounded from two subpar outings, pitching 6 innings and giving up 1 run and 6 hits.
Sports on 06/05/2015