By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, May 29, 2014

Miguel Cabrera smacked a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the sixth inning for Detroit Thursday, and the Tigers hung on for a 5-4 win over the Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland.

The A’s, who stranded 14 baserunners, have cooled off of late. Oakland is 2-2 on the current homestand and has lost six of its last eight games.

Rick Porcello (8-2) overcame a career-high six walks to pick up the win. Closer Joe Nathan survived a rough ninth inning to earn his 13th save.

In the ninth, Nathan surrendered a leadoff double to Josh Donaldson, a run-scoring infield single by Yoenis Cespedes, and an RBI double for Josh Reddick before retiring pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie on a game-ending groundout.

The Tigers built a 5-2 lead in the seventh when Victor Martinez hit a two-run double and Cabrera added an RBI groundout.

Nick Punto hit a two-run homer for the A’s in the fourth inning, his first round-tripper of the season. He also had a career-high tying three walks.

Losing pitcher Jesse Chaves (4-3) worked six innings, striking out three, walking two and giving up three earned runs.

Attendance was announced as 21,860. The A’s homestand continues with a three-game weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

A’s ACORNS: This weekend, the Athletics celebrate the 40th anniversary of their 1974 World Series championship, the third of three consecutive titles, something no other Bay Area major league franchise has achieved. Members of the ’74 A’s will take part in an autograph session in the Bar & Grille (formerly the Westside Club) on Friday, and a session with only Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers is scheduled for Saturday. Autograph tickets go on sale at 4:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at Section 216. Proceeds for all autograph sessions will benefit the Catfish Hunter ALS Foundation. … On Saturday, May 31, Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick will host a baseball fielding clinic for Richmond Little Leaguers when the A’s and PG&E dedicate Dr. Martin Luther King Field as part of the “Energize Your Field” program.