Oakland, CA – The A’s bats went cold and Sean Manaea showed signs of improvement despite recording his third loss as Michael Fulmer and the Tigers bested Oakland 4-1. Fulmer who had great command, allowed two hits over seven frames to earn his fourth win in the sixth start of his career. Both rookie pitchers were called up on April 29th.
“We’re not taking advantage of some situations when we get some guys on,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin. “And maybe missing a pitch or two an at-bat that you have a chance to do some damage with.”
Oakland has lost three straight and seven of the last eight games after winning five of the previous six contests. They are now a season-high nine games under .500 at 20-29 and nine games out in the American League West. The A’s stranded six batters and failed to drive in runs when they had the opportunity.
“There’s not much to say. The scoreboard says it all, right?” Yonder Alonso said.
The score was tied 0-0 for three innings, then Detroit scored two runs for a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Manaea retired the first two batters then gave up three consecutive hits. Justin Upton singled, Cameron Maybin followed with a double RBI making it a 1-0 game. Maybe extended his hitting streak to a season-high 10 games.
James McCann singled on a fly ball to right field and drove in Maybin from second base extending Detroit’s lead 2-0. Oakland mustered up one hit in the second over five frames. But provided great defense in the fifth that forced the Tigers to end the inning on a double play.
Ian Kinsler led off the frame with a double. Manaea intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera putting two on with one out. The A’s rallied a double play on a interference call that left many completely confused. Victor Martinez popped out to first baseman Yonder Alonso who threw home for the out. Kinsler thought he was safe at the plate but home-plate umpire Joe West ruled Kinsler out.
Apparently the ball hit Martinez in the leg as he as walking back to the dugout ruling Kinsler out automatically to end the inning. By the sixth Detroit continued to take advantage of Manaea and added on another run when Nick Castellanos led off the inning with a solo shot to left field.
By the eighth, Oakland’s bats came alive and knocked out Fulmer at the same time. Chris Coghlan singled on a line drive and Coco Crisp hit ground-rule double putting two on with two outs. Justin Wilson replaced Fulmer and struck out Billy Burns to end the threat straining two. Another missed opportunity for the A’s.
Fulmer tossed 7 2/3 innings allowing there hits, one walk and struck out three. He surrendered a two-out base hit to the second inning but not another until the eighth, when he gave up back-to-back hits to both Coghlan and Crisp before his exit. Manaea on the other hand got better but wasn’t as sharp as Fulmer.
“My slider was non-existent the first couple games and these past few games it’s finally starting to come around,” said Manaea. “Finding a comfortable grip for my changeup has been good for me. My fastball has kind of always been there. I’m just trying to execute a little better. I would say I’m starting to improve with each start.”
“He showed what he can do in those situations,” Stephen Vogt said. “It was unfortunate he gave up that home run in the fifth, but other than that, he was really, really sharp. It was good to see.”
The Tigers got their insurance run in the ninth. Kinsler singled and Martinez followed with a RBI triple making it a 4-0 game. Oakland rallied in the bottom of the frame when Vogt led off with a single, Danny Valencia grounded into a force out. Jed Lowrie’s RBI triple was the first run of the game but closer Francisco Rodriguez retired the last two batters to end the game.
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