GDT12: 4/14/13 - DET (6-5) AT OAK (9-3) - 4:05 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 1.50 ERA)

Sanchez showed some of his top form Tuesday, striking out eight Blue Jays over seven innings of two-run ball. He'll try to continue that against an A's lineup he held to two runs over 6 1/3 innings in last year's Division Series.



Athletics: RHP Jarrod Parker (0-1, 6.48 ERA)

Parker endured his shortest outing since May 18, lasting just 3 1/3 innings against the Angels on Tuesday. Struggling with command for a second straight start, the righty gave up two runs on nine hits with three walks and a strikeout.








Parker, Sanchez square off to decide A's-Tigers series

By John Schlegel / MLB.com | 4/13/2013 10:00 PM ET

A barrage of Tigers homers Saturday proved to be just enough to bring a nine-game winning streak to an end for the A's, and the two teams enter their Sunday finale with the three-game series hanging in the balance.

The two American League Division Series foes of a year ago provided another entertaining contest Saturday with the A's continuing to rally late, and the finale promises more of the same in a matchup of talented right-handers, one hoping to get on track and one hoping to stay on course.

Jarrod Parker, one of the A's sensations as a rookie in 2012, has had a couple of tough starts to start the season. Anibal Sanchez has been simply superb in his first two outings, allowing two earned runs in 12 innings of work.

Coming in behind Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, Sanchez provides a third imposing starter in a row for the A's to face.

"You can't go in thinking you don't have a chance," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Even when a pitcher is on, you usually get one pitch in an at-bat to hit. You just can't miss it."

While Sanchez has been strong his first two starts, Parker is looking for his first quality start after going five innings in his 2013 debut and lasting just 3 1/3 frames against the Angels on April 9. Parker lost his only outing in the regular season against the Tigers last year, and he was the losing pitcher in two ALDS games in October.

Parker will be faced with trying to slow down one of the best hitters in the Majors out of the gate, Prince Fielder. After going 2-for-3 with his fourth homer Saturday, Fielder is batting .436 and has an eight-game hitting streak. He is 15-for-27 (.556) with six runs, three doubles, four homers and 17 RBIs during the streak.

"He's seeing the ball really good at the plate," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "You can see in how he's laying off bad pitches. He's swinging the bat well. This guy's not just a power hitter. This guy's a hitter."

Fielder is 0-for-9 with a pair of strikeouts against Parker heading into Sunday's game.

Tigers: Avila OK but gets a rest
Alex Avila caught all 12 innings of Friday night's 4-3 loss and got whacked on the helmet by a backswing, but he came in Saturday morning hoping to play. Not happening, said Leyland.

"Alex actually wanted to play today, and to me that's totally stupid," Leyland said. "You played 12 innings, you got banged on the head. You got your leg banged up. That doesn't make any sense at all to me."

Brayan Pena made the start behind the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.

• Phil Coke was back in action Saturday after being unable to play Friday with a stomach illness that had him feeling dizzy. Coke entered Saturday's game in the seventh, worked out of a jam for the final out and then recorded the first out of the eighth.

A's: Cespedes to DL, Crisp out
Yoenis Cespedes landed on the disabled list Saturday, one day after an awkward slide caused a muscle strain in his left hand. Coco Crisp was also out of the starting lineup Saturday with a groin strain.

And any questions about the A's five-man outfield were answered with Chris Young moving into center field and Seth Smith taking over in left -- Young's presence making up for both Cespedes' power and Crisp's defense.

"You don't get that variable often," Melvin said. "That's a credit to [general manager] Billy Beane and the scouting staff to know we have guys who are aggressive and are prone to injury. We're well-covered with Cespedes going out, not that we want him out for any length of time."

• Another twist to Saturday's lineup was John Jaso hitting in the leadoff spot. Jaso had filled that spot before, collecting his 200th at-bat in that role Saturday, but he had never done it with the A's.

"He can work the count, he's an on-base guy and he's not foreign to the spot," Melvin said.

Worth noting
• After Sunday's game, the A's will welcome the Astros to the O.co Coliseum for the first time as AL West foes, playing three games starting Monday. The A's swept three games from the Astros in Houston the first weekend of the season.

• The Tigers will continue their three-city West Coast swing with a three-game series in Seattle that begins Tuesday. That will be followed by a weekend series at Angel Stadium.

• The Tigers won the 2012 season series vs. the A's, 4-3, one of only two American League teams Oakland had a losing record against last year. (The other: Kansas City, 4-5.)

• The Tigers and A's will meet again in Detroit for four games Aug. 26-29.

John Schlegel is a national 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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• MON, April 15:
OFF DAY


• TUE, April 16:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (2-0, 2.77 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 Max Scherzer (1-0, 4.91 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 (3-for-8, 2 doubles vs. Parker)
Torii Hunter, RF (2-for-11, 3 RBIs, 5 K’s vs. Parker)
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (2-for-8, RBI vs. Parker)
Prince Fielder, 1B (0-for-9, 2 K’s vs. Parker)
Victor Martinez, DH
Andy Dirks, LF (3-for-9 vs. Parker)
Jhonny Peralta, SS (1-for-7, 2 walks, 2 K’s vs. Parker)
Alex Avila, C (2-for-9, HR, 4 K’s vs. Parker)
Omar Infante, 2B (3-for-4 vs. Parker)

P: Anibal Sanchez


ATHLETICS

John Jaso, DH (1-for-5, 2 walks off Sanchez)
Chris Young, CF (1-for-10, double, RBI, 4 K’s off Sanchez)
Seth Smith, LF (7-for-15, 3 HR, 4 RBIs off Sanchez)
Jed Lowrie, SS (0-for-5, walk, K off Sanchez)
Brandon Moss, 1B (1-for-9, double, RBI, 3 K’s off Sanchez)
Josh Reddick, RF (0-for-6 off Sanchez)
Josh Donaldson, 3B (4-for-6, RBI off Sanchez)
Derek Norris, C (0-for-2 off Sanchez)
Eric Sogard, 2B

P: Jarrod Parker

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Torii Hunter doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young. Austin Jackson scores.
1 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jed Lowrie to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Jarrod Parker intentionally walks Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Josh Reddick. Torii Hunter scores. Prince Fielder to 2nd.
2 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to left fielder Seth Smith.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, shortstop Jed Lowrie to second baseman Eric Sogard. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.


OAK - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
John Jaso walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Chris Young flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Seth Smith strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jed Lowrie lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Chris Young.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.

With Austin Jackson batting, wild pitch by Jarrod Parker, Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson homers (1) on a line drive to left center field. Alex Avila scores.
4 - 0

B:0 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, first baseman Brandon Moss to pitcher Jarrod Parker.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder hit by pitch. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez lines out to center fielder Chris Young.


OAK - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Brandon Moss strikes out swinging.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3
Josh Donaldson grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

4 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Josh Reddick.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, third baseman Josh Donaldson to first baseman Brandon Moss.


OAK - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Derek Norris called out on strikes.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Eric Sogard singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:2 O:1
John Jaso walks. Eric Sogard to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Chris Young grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante. Eric Sogard to 3rd. John Jaso out at 2nd. Chris Young to 1st.

With Seth Smith batting, Chris Young steals (2) 2nd base.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Seth Smith strikes out swinging.

4 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Josh Reddick.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to right fielder Josh Reddick.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Chris Young. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Seth Smith. Austin Jackson scores. Torii Hunter scores.
6 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder doubles (5) on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young. Miguel Cabrera scores.
7 - 0

Pitching Change: Evan Scribner replaces Jarrod Parker.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Eric Sogard to first baseman Brandon Moss. Prince Fielder to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Young. Prince Fielder scores.
8 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, third baseman Josh Donaldson to second baseman Eric Sogard. Andy Dirks out at 2nd.


OAK - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Jed Lowrie singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Brandon Moss walks. Jed Lowrie to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Josh Reddick pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

With Josh Donaldson batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Jed Lowrie to 3rd. Brandon Moss to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Josh Donaldson walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Derek Norris out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Andy Dirks. Jed Lowrie scores.
8 - 1

B:3 S:3 O:3
Eric Sogard called out on strikes.

8 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Josh Reddick.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Chris Young.


OAK - Bot 5th
B:2 S:1 O:1
John Jaso lines out softly to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Chris Young strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Seth Smith pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder in foul territory.

8 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Torii Hunter triples (1) on a line drive to left fielder Seth Smith.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jed Lowrie to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder pops out to third baseman Josh Donaldson in foul territory.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Jerry Blevins replaces Evan Scribner.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Eric Sogard to first baseman Brandon Moss.


OAK - Bot 6th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Jed Lowrie flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brandon Moss flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

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

8 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Injury Delay. (PERALTA FOULS BALL OFF HIS KNEE)

B:3 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Seth Smith.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Seth Smith. Jhonny Peralta scores.
9 - 1

B:0 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter lines out to center fielder Chris Young.


OAK - Bot 7th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Josh Donaldson lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Derek Norris doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Eric Sogard grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:3
John Jaso flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

9 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Chris Resop replaces Jerry Blevins.

Defensive Substitution: Michael Taylor replaces left fielder Seth Smith, batting 3rd, playing left field.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jed Lowrie to first baseman Brandon Moss.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Josh Donaldson. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks lines out to center fielder Chris Young.

With Jhonny Peralta batting, passed ball by Derek Norris, Prince Fielder to 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young. Prince Fielder scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
10 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop Jed Lowrie to first baseman Brandon Moss.


OAK - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Torii Hunter, batting 2nd, playing right field.

Pitching Change: Rick Porcello replaces Anibal Sanchez.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Chris Young lines out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Michael Taylor grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Andy Parrino replaces Jed Lowrie.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Andy Parrino grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

10 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Andy Parrino remains in the game as the shortstop.

Defensive Substitution: Nate Freiman replaces first baseman Brandon Moss, batting 5th, playing first base.

Pitching Change: Ryan Cook replaces Chris Resop.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Andy Parrino to first baseman Nate Freiman.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to left fielder Michael Taylor.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago flies out to right fielder Josh Reddick.


OAK - Bot 9th
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the third baseman.

Defensive Substitution: Matt Tuiasosopo replaces first baseman Prince Fielder, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Nate Freiman grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Josh Reddick grounds out softly to first baseman Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Josh Donaldson flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

TIGERS WIN 10-1

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Sanchez, An
L: Parker, J


Game Info

WP: Parker, J.
IBB: Fielder (by Parker, J).
HBP: Fielder (by Parker, J).
Pitches-strikes: Sanchez, An 113-68, Porcello 19-14, Parker, J 76-45, Scribner 44-27, Blevins 27-19, Resop 23-11, Cook, R 13-6.
Groundouts-flyouts: Sanchez, An 3-5, Porcello 4-1, Parker, J 4-3, Scribner 4-2, Blevins 1-0, Resop 3-0, Cook, R 1-2.
Batters faced: Sanchez, An 28, Porcello 6, Parker, J 22, Scribner 10, Blevins 6, Resop 6, Cook, R 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Scribner 1-1, Blevins 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Sam Holbrook. 1B: Lance Barrett. 2B: Paul Nauert. 3B: Andy Fletcher.
Weather: 69 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 10 mph, L to R.
T: 3:08.