A’s fall to Tigers 6-2

The Athletics took on the Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit today, hoping to end a three-game skid. J.T. Ginn got the start today against reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarek Skubal for Detroit.

After a walk to lead-off batter Kevin McGonigle, Colt Keith homered to deep right center field giving the Tigers an early 2-0 lead.

After Skubal struck out five of the first eight batters he faced, Henry Bolte launched his third homer of the season into left field bleachers. That cut the Tigers lead to 2-1.

Through four innings, both pitchers have allowed base runners, but since each gave up a homer, they’ve battled through, keeping the opposing team from scoring. Skubal left the game after five innings. He gave up just one earned run on five hits and two walks. He struck out nine.

Jacob Lopez replaced J.T. Ginn in the bottom of the sixth. Lopez was recalled today from AAA Las Vegas. Zach McKinstry walked and Spencer Torkelson singled. Pinch hitter Ben Malgeri doubled on a misplayed fly ball to right fielder Lawrence Butler. McKinstry scored. Matt Vierling doubled to right field, driving in Torkelson and Malgeri. Kevin McGonigle followed with a single, that drove in Vierling. When the inning was finally over, the A’s trailed Detroit 6-1.

With one out in the top of the seventh, Bolte was hit by a pitch, and Nick Kurtz singled. Shea Langeliers then singled, scoring the speedy Bolte easily from second. Jonah Heim was struck by a pitch with two outs loading the bases for Jacob Wilson. Wilson worked the count full but struck out looking on a borderline (but ABS-confirmed) four-seam fastball. Lopez set the Tigers down in order in the bottom of the seventh.

The A’s went quietly in their half of the eighth inning, and Elvis Alvarado entered the game to pitch the bottom of the eighth. While he gave up a hit and a walk, he also struck out three to keep the Tigers off the board.

The A’s could not muster any baserunners in the ninth and fell for the fourth consecutive game, 6-2 to the Tigers.