Tigers Sweep A’s Behind Strong Showing From Justin Verlander
Jul 2, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Rajai Davis (20) dives back to first safe ahead of the tag by Oakland Athletics first baseman Nate Freiman (35) in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers came out victorious this afternoon, beating the Oakland Athletics by a score of 9-3 at Comerica Park.
The Tigers were able to complete the three-game series sweep behind six strong innings from ace, Justin Verlander. Verlander (7-7) allowed nine hits and two runs while striking out four.
JV looked like he might be in trouble when Coco Crisp and Brandon Moss hit long homers off him in the first inning.
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Jesse Chavez (6-5) struggled for the second straight start, giving up five runs in five-plus innings. Reliever Jim Johnson replaced him and allowed four runs while only getting one out.
Hunter tied the game in the third inning with his second RBI single of the game scoring Austin Jackson, who led off with a double. Jackson, batting leadoff, gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a two-out single, scoring Andrew Romine.
In the sixth inning Verlander got into a bit of trouble. Moss led off with a double — his third of four hits — and took third on Derek Norris‘ infield single. Verlander retired Stephen Vogt and Jed Lowrie on popups, but hit Nate Freiman with his 100th pitch of the game to load the bases.
Verlander got ahead 0-2 on Nick Punto, hitting 96 mph on the second pitch, and then induced a fly ball to shallow right with an 87 mph slider.
After that, it was all Tigers.
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Rajai Davis hit a 2-RBI single to score Nick Castellanos and Alex Avila, then Ian Kinsler hit an RBI infield single. Miguel Cabrera followed up with a 2-RBI double, knocking Johnson out of the game.
Hunter hit a third RBI single to make the score 9-2. A Brandon Moss RBI single in the seventh off Al Alburquerque rounded out the scoring for the afternoon.
The win gave the Tigers their 11th “W” in 13 games. The division leaders reached the halfway point with a 47-34 mark.
The Tigers return to action tomorrow at Comerica Park where they begin a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays. The game begins at 7:08 pm/ET on FSDT.