The Athletics’ losing streak extended to four games last night as the team fell to the Detroit Tigers 6-2 in the first game of a three-game series. The A’s had a chance to win after knocking out Tarik Skubal after five innings while trailing by just one run. However, a miscommunication between two A’s players on a fly to shallow right field sparked a two-out rally for the Tigers, who extended their lead from 2-1 to 6-1 and effectively sealed the win.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs will start today for the A’s, who will be looking to tie the game and force tomorrow’s finale to be a series decider. The 33-year-old left-hander enters his 19th start of the season with a 3-8 record, 5.79 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 80 strikeouts over 93 1/3 innings. Since the successful opening of the season, the Springs has struggled greatly over the past few months. His ERA ranks fourth in the major leagues and he has hit more home runs than any other pitcher.
Much of this difficulty can be attributed to pitching in the hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park, a particularly difficult environment for a ball-handling pitcher. The split is especially stark: Springs allowed 16 home runs at home compared to just eight on the road. He gave up two more home runs in his last start, a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.
Comerica Park typically plays in a pitcher-friendly stadium, meaning fly balls that might go over the fence at the A’s home often turn into long outs in Detroit. Considering how well the park matches Springs’ fly ball tendencies, this is a great opportunity for Springs to get a much-needed quality start and earn their first win since April.
Team A line-up for today’s match:
Tyler Soderstrom returns as the designated hitter, a move that should help avoid immediate stress on his injured hip while the left fielder returns to the game. Zach Gelof, who started in left field the last two games, moves to third base and Max Muncy is no longer on the major league roster.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer hopes to continue his hot start offensively, but more importantly, he and right fielder Lawrence Butler need to improve their defensive chemistry tonight. The A’s also need more from Kuroda-Grauer’s center field partner, shortstop Jacob Wilson, who lost his first game off the injured list yesterday.
The A’s offense will face Tigers right-hander Troy Melton, who is off to a great start this season. The 25-year-old enters his eighth start with a 4-1 record, 2.05 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 44 innings. In his previous start, Melton received a no-decision after holding the New York Yankees scoreless over 6 1/3 innings, giving up only two hits and striking out seven.
This will be Melton’s second time facing the Athletics, but his first as a starting pitcher. Last August, he pitched three scoreless innings of relief against the Green and Gold. The A’s will be hoping for more success against a talented young right-hander tonight. Their hitters need to capitalize on any pitching error that Melton leaves over the plate while working a deep count, a strategy they used last night to get Skubal to pitch the game to the Detroit bullpen in the sixth inning.
And the Tigers’ starting nine:
Springs must be careful pitching to the Tigers’ trio of stars: catcher Dillon Dingler, left fielder Riley Greene and American League Rookie of the Year candidate Kevin McGonigle. Outside of those three players, the Tigers’ lineup doesn’t look nearly as formidable, although other hitters can still make the A’s pitchers pay if they make mistakes.
It’s time to bounce back, break this skid and get back in the win column. Let’s go to athletics!
Follow the game:
Look:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Discussion 650 KSTE, A’s Cast