GDT11: 4/13/13 - DET (5-5) AT OAK (9-2) - 4:05 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (1-1, 2.19 ERA)

Verlander returns to the site where he shut out the Athletics in the fifth and deciding game of the AL Division Series last October. He took a loss to the Yankees on Sunday after 7 1/3 innings of three-run ball in Detroit.



Athletics: LHP Brett Anderson (1-1, 1.38 ERA)

Pitching with a left thumb contusion after the second inning, Anderson still managed to match his career high in strikeouts (10) while allowing just two unearned runs through six frames against the Astros on Sunday.








Verlander stands between A's and 10th straight win

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 4/13/2013 4:24 AM ET

Congratulations to the A's for winning nine straight games, the franchise's second-longest April winning streak.

Their reward?

A date with Detroit's Justin Verlander, the right-hander considered the best in the game who displayed that dominance when he ended the club's 2012 season in Game 5 last year's American League Division Series the last time he was in Oakland.

The A's got a little payback on Friday, defeating the Tigers in a game started by Max Scherzer in walk-off fashion. They look to follow that with wins against Verlander on Saturday and right-hander Anibal Sanchez on Sunday -- the same three arms Oakland saw in the ALDS.

"We know we have to play our best baseball against them," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "They are one of the premier teams in the league."

With that said, even a sweep that would lead to an 11-game winning streak wouldn't make up for last season's heartbreak.

"You definitely think about it," Melvin said. "It's difficult to watch the playoffs after you've been eliminated."

The end of Oakland's season came at the hands of yet another Verlander gem, that one a four-hit shutout. It was the latest dominant performance by Verlander against the A's, against whom he's 7-5 with a 2.38 ERA in 13 career starts.

The Tigers also see a pitcher who got the best of them in last year's playoffs on Saturday in Oakland left-hander Brett Anderson. Anderson defeated the Tigers in Game 3 of the ALDS and has a 3.78 ERA against them in four regular-season starts.

Anderson tossed six shutout innings in his last start, matching a career high with 10 strikeouts against the Astros.

Tigers: Glad to be here
Friday marked the opener of Detroit's nine-game West Coast trip, which also takes the Tigers to Seattle and Anaheim. It's the only time the Tigers play out west this season, and manager Jim Leyland couldn't be happier.

"I'm thrilled. Not because I don't like the West Coast, but because it's long travel. You're done with it," Leyland said. "From a travel perspective, it's good. Getting them all together."

Plus the Tigers aren't in Detroit on these chilly and sometimes rainy April nights.

"They're skiing today, I think," Leyland quipped on Friday.

• Right fielder Torii Hunter has recorded multiple hits in seven of his first 10 games with the Tigers.

• Center fielder Austin Jackson has reached safely in all 10 games this season, scoring a run in nine of them.

A's: Offense is thriving early
The A's saw their streak of scoring at least six runs end on Friday, but they're still scoring at an impressive rate. Their 70 runs this season are already one more than what they scored all last April.

• Closer Grant Balfour has converted his last 19 save opportunities.

• Infielder Jed Lowrie has reached base safely in all 11 games this season.

Worth noting
• The longest April winning streak in Oakland history is 11 games, accomplished in 1981.

• Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has 11 doubles, 14 home runs and 43 RBIs in 41 career games against the A's. He entered Friday leading active players in on-base percentage and slugging percentage against Oakland.

• A's center fielder Coco Crisp, who has hit safely in his last nine games and left Friday's game with a strained left groin, is a .364 career hitter (8-for-22) against Verlander.

• Hunter is 7-for-16 (.438) with two homers in his career against Anderson.

Cash Kruth is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.









INJURY UPDATE:

• RF Avisail Garcia (Right heel contusion, 15-day DL retroactive to March 22, 2013).







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• SUN, April 14:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 1.50 ERA)) AT
ATHLETICS: (RHP Jarrod Parker (0-1, 6.48 ERA))
4:05 p.m. ET (FS-D / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)


• MON, April 15:
OFF DAY


• TUE, April 16:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (0-1, 6.10 ERA)) AT
MARINERS: (RHP Aaron Harang (0-0, -.-- ERA))
10:10 p.m. ET (FS-D / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)


• WED, April 17:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (2-0, 2.77 ERA)) AT
MARINERS: (RHP Felix Hernandez (1-2, 3.05 ERA))
10:10 p.m. ET (FS-D / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF (1-for-7, 3 K’s off Anderson)
Torii Hunter, RF (7-for-16, 2 HR, 7 RBIs off Anderson)
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (3-for-10, double, 3 walks off Anderson)
Prince Fielder, 1B (0-for-3, walk off Anderson)
Victor Martinez, DH (2-for-4, walk off Anderson)
Matt Tuiasosopo, LF (0-for-7, 4 K’s off Anderson)
Jhonny Peralta, SS (1-for-7, walk off Anderson)
Omar Infante, 2B (1-for-5, double, 2 RBIs off Anderson)
Brayan Pena, C (1-for-5, RBI, 3 K’s off Anderson)

P: Justin Verlander


ATHLETICS

John Jaso, DH (2-for-10, 3 K’s off Verlander)
Chris Young, CF (1-for-3, 2 K’s off Verlander)
Josh Reddick, RF (2-for-15, double, 6 K’s off Verlander)
Brandon Moss, 1B (1-for-8, walk, 4 K’s off Verlander)
Seth Smith, LF (1-for-13, HR, 3 walks, 4 K’s off Verlander)
Josh Donaldson, 3B (2-for-11, walk, 2 K’s off Verlander)
Eric Sogard, 2B (0-for-5 off Verlander)
Derek Norris, C (0-for-7, 4 K’s off Verlander)
Andy Parrino, SS

P: Brett Anderson

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Josh Donaldson to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Andy Parrino to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Josh Reddick.


OAK - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
John Jaso pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Chris Young grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Josh Reddick strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, shortstop Andy Parrino to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Omar Infante pops out to first baseman Brandon Moss in foul territory.


OAK - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Brandon Moss called out on strikes.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Seth Smith singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Josh Donaldson singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Seth Smith to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Eric Sogard flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Derek Norris singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Seth Smith scores. Josh Donaldson to 3rd. Derek Norris to 2nd on the throw.
OAK 1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Andy Parrino grounds out, catcher Brayan Pena to first baseman Prince Fielder.

OAK 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, shortstop Andy Parrino to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Andy Parrino to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.
TIED 1 - 1

B:2 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.


OAK - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:1
John Jaso lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Chris Young flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Josh Reddick strikes out swinging.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Prince Fielder homers (4) on a fly ball to center field.
2 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Matt Tuiasosopo walks. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Victor Martinez scores. Matt Tuiasosopo scores.
5 - 1

B:0 S:2 O:0
Omar Infante singles on a ground ball to second baseman Eric Sogard.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brayan Pena out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Derek Norris to second baseman Eric Sogard. Omar Infante to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Eric Sogard to first baseman Brandon Moss. Omar Infante to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Andy Parrino to first baseman Brandon Moss.


OAK - Bot 4th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Brandon Moss grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Seth Smith walks.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Josh Donaldson walks. Seth Smith to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Eric Sogard strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Derek Norris called out on strikes.

5 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Eric Sogard to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder walks.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, shortstop Andy Parrino to second baseman Eric Sogard to first baseman Brandon Moss. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.


OAK - Bot 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Andy Parrino called out on strikes.

B:2 S:1 O:2
John Jaso pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Chris Young grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

5 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Seth Smith.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Omar Infante grounds into a force out, shortstop Andy Parrino to second baseman Eric Sogard. Matt Tuiasosopo out at 2nd. Omar Infante to 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Chris Young. Omar Infante scores.
6 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Pat Neshek replaces Brett Anderson.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Seth Smith. Brayan Pena scores.
7 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, pitcher Pat Neshek to first baseman Brandon Moss.


OAK - Bot 6th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Josh Reddick pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brandon Moss grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Seth Smith walks.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Josh Donaldson grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante. Seth Smith out at 2nd.

7 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Seth Smith.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Andy Dirks replaces Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Andy Dirks pops out to second baseman Eric Sogard.


OAK - Bot 7th
Andy Dirks remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Justin Verlander.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Eric Sogard walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Derek Norris doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Eric Sogard to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Andy Parrino called out on strikes.

B:3 S:3 O:2
John Jaso strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Chris Young doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Eric Sogard scores. Derek Norris scores.
7 - 3

Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Josh Reddick grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

7 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Josh Reddick.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante pops out to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Josh Reddick.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Josh Donaldson to first baseman Brandon Moss.


OAK - Bot 8th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Brandon Moss called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Seth Smith singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Josh Donaldson singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Seth Smith to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Eric Sogard flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Derek Norris walks. Seth Smith to 3rd. Josh Donaldson to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie replaces Andy Parrino.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Jed Lowrie called out on strikes.

7 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Jed Lowrie remains in the game as the shortstop.

Pitching Change: Evan Scribner replaces Pat Neshek.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Josh Reddick.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Prince Fielder called out on strikes.


OAK - Bot 9th
B:4 S:1 O:0
John Jaso walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Chris Young strikes out swinging.

With Josh Reddick batting, John Jaso advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Josh Reddick strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Brandon Moss strikes out swinging.

TIGERS WIN 7-3

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Verlander
L: Anderson


Game Info

Pitches-strikes: Verlander 111-75, Alburquerque 25-16, Coke 15-9, Benoit 36-18, Anderson 102-66, Neshek 37-26, Scribner 12-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 6-2, Alburquerque 0-0, Coke 1-0, Benoit 0-1, Anderson 11-2, Neshek 2-3, Scribner 0-1.
Batters faced: Verlander 24, Alburquerque 5, Coke 3, Benoit 8, Anderson 27, Neshek 10, Scribner 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Coke 1-0, Benoit 1-0, Neshek 1-1.
Ejections: Oakland Athletics Manager Bob Melvin ejected by HP umpire Andy Fletcher (8th)
Umpires: HP: Andy Fletcher. 1B: Sam Holbrook. 2B: Chris Conroy. 3B: Angel Campos.
Weather: 65 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, In from RF.
T: 3:15.
Att: 35,067.