Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller (19) is congratulated by catcher Shane Langeliers (23) after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sun Apr 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Behind some excellent pitching by Paul Blackburn as well as some very efficient relief pitching, the Oakland A’s (2-7) won their second game of the season beating the Detroit Tigers (6-2) in a shutout 4-0. The A’s also had some great offense with some solid work from Zach Gelof and Brent Rooker.

Game recap: The A’s got the party started early in the first inning. Brent Rooker hit a home run with Zach Gelof on base and Oakland had an early 2-0 lead. The A’s were not finished and continued to add to their lead in the sixth inning. Seth Brown singled driving Zach Gelof home who as it turned out would be a very busy guy in this game. With a 3-0 lead Rooker hit a single in the eighth inning driving, who else, Gelof home giving Oakland a 4-0 lead. This would turn out to be the final, a 4-0 shut-out.

Paul Blackburn did indeed get the job done going six innings giving up three hits, no runs and four strikeouts. He had an outstanding day. Austin Adams pitched the seventh inning with no hits, no runs and 2 punch-outs. Mason Miller took over in the eighth giving up a single hit and had one strikeout and going into the ninth inning was looking to close out this game.

Oakland was on the verge of their second win of the season. Miller got the job done, in fact, the A’s had an all-around excellent showing on the mound today. This was not only their second win of the season, it was their first road win of this young season. This was an outstanding offensive and defensive game for Oakland. The A’s only had five hits but made every one of them count.

Rooker, Seth Brown, Shea Langeliers and J.D. Davis all had hits and Gelof scored three runs. It was a banner day for the team and a real confidence builder.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon, the A’s were back at work taking on the Tigers in game two of their series. The A’s lost a close and highly competitive game Friday to the Tigers 5-4. Game One of the series was not decided until the eighth inning with Oakland coming up just short. They played catch-up through six innings and tied up the game in the seventh. The Tigers pulled out the win in the eighth inning. Saturday Oakland got their second win of the season and pitcher Paul Blackburn made it happen with a shutout.

Sunday the A’s will wrap up the series with the Tigers before heading to Texas on Tuesday for a series with the Rangers. First pitch for Game Three is scheduled for 10:40.