by Jerry Feitelberg

photo credit abcnews.com: After a fly that was miscued in the outfield lights Detroit outfielder Tyler Collins heard a rain of criticism from the Tiger fans in which Collins reciprocated by flipping off the fans in a game the Tigers were leading the Oakland A’s at the time 6-0 at CoAmerica Park in Detroit on Monday night

It was not a good night for the A’s as the lost 7-3 to the Detroit Tigers in the first game of a four-game series. The loss was the third in a row for the A’s and evened their season mark at 10-10. They are still in first place in the AL West, but they have company sharing the lead with the Texas Rangers also at 10-10 and the Seattle Mariners, who are at 9-9.

Kendall Graveman was hoping to repeat his outstanding performance last time out as he beat the Yankees in New York. Things did not go well for Kendall. He gave up a solo home run to Miguel Cabrera. Miggy came into the game hitting just .206 and was in a 0-for-13 slump. The Tigers scored the second run of the game in the second inning. Graveman did not make it out of the fifth. With one out, he gave up back-to-back singles. Cabrera made him walk the plank as he blasted his second home run of the night. Victor Martinez followed with a solo homer, and the Tigers led 6-0. Bob Melvin lifted him with two out and two on. The Tigers added another run and the A’s reached Zimmerman for three runs. Only one of the runs was earned. The Tigers win 7-3.

Jordan Zimmerman, the price free agent acquisition, improved his record to 4-0. Zimmerman pitched 24 1/3rd scoreless innings to start the season.  This was the best start ever by a Tiger pitcher. The A’s runs were driven in bu Billy Burns, Yonder Alonso and Mark Canha.

Game two of the series will see Rich Hill on the mound for Oakland and he will be opposed by the Tigers’ Mike Pelfrey. Hill will be seeking his third win of the year.

Game time will be 4:10 PM PT in Detroit.