OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Matt Olson scored from second base on a fielding error by Detroit third baseman Jeimer Candelario with two outs in the ninth inning, rallying the Oakland Athletics past the Tigers 3-2 on Sunday for their eighth straight win.
Sean Murphy hit a tying home run in the eighth as the A’s swept the four-game series.
When Tigers center fielder Victor Reyes lost a high fly ball in the sun, Olson hit a one-out double off Gregory Soto (1-0). After Matt Chapman struck out looking, Murphy walked before pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland hit a sharp grounder that rolled under Candelario’s glove into left field.
Ramon Laureano had an RBI triple for the A’s.
Harold Castro had three hits for the Tigers, including a two-run single in the sixth that snapped Detroit’s 23-inning scoreless streak,
Lou Trivino (1-0) retired three batters for the win.
STRONG STARTS
Both starters pitched effectively but left with no decisions.
Detroit’s Boyd gave up four hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings. Murphy’s home run was the first off Boyd this season after the lefty allowed an AL-leading 15 in the shortened 2020 season.
A’s starter Chris Bassitt struck out a season-high eight in six innings and allowed five hits and two runs.
ESCAPE ACT
Bassitt pitched himself into trouble initially but wriggled out of the jam with a bit of luck. After Tigers leadoff man Robbie Grossman walked and Candelario singled, Willi Castro lofted a short fly that fell in front of A’s center fielder Laureano. Laureano alertly threw to third to nail Grossman, who had paused to see if the ball would drop. Wilson Ramos singled to load the bases, but Bassitt retired Renato Núñez on a popup and then fanned Harold Castro on three pitches.
MELVIN’S MILESTONE
The game marked the 1,471st for Bob Melvin as manager of the A’s, tying current White Sox skipper Tony La Russa for second-most in Oakland history. Connie Mack holds the franchise record with 7,396. “It means I’ve dodged a few bullets along the way and remained in place,” said Melvin, whose 776 wins are 22 fewer than La Russa’s.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Spencer Turnbull threw a bullpen at the Tigers Triple-A facility in Toledo and is scheduled to come off the IL to pitch against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Turnbull has been on the COVID-19 list since March 29.
Athletics: OF Stephen Piscotty will come off the paternity list Monday.
UP NEXT
Tigers: Following a day off, RHP Michael Fullmer (1-0. 3.00 ERA) faces the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday to begin a seven-game homestand.
Athletics: Melvin is undecided on his rotation for the series against the Twins after Monday’s game was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns involving some Minnesota players. A doubleheader is scheduled for Tuesday, pending further testing.
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