by Jerry Feitelberg
AP photo: Rich Hill Oakland starter on Tuesday night
The Oakland A’s, behind a terrific performance by lefty Rich Hill, defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-1 Tuesday night in Detroit. Hill, without doubt, had his best game of the young season. He went seven innings allowed just four hits, no runs and struck out eight. The veteran lefty gave up two singles in the first inning and then retired eighteen of the last twenty hitters he faced. His record is now 3-2 for 2016.
The A’s scored three times in the top of the fourth. Mike Pelfrey was trying to win his first of the year for the Tigers, but the A’s took advantage of a couple of defensive lapses in the inning to go ahead 3-0. Josh Reddick started the rally with a single. Reddick stole second. The Tiger second baseman couldn’t hang on to the throw from the catcher. Jed Lowrie continued his clutch hitting. Lowrie singled to drive in Reddick. Stephen Vogt doubled to put men on at second and third with no out. Lowrie scored on a sac fly off Coco Crisp’s bat to put the A’s up 2-0. Kris Davis singled to drive in Vogt. A’s lead 3-0.
There was no more scoring until the top of the seventh. With two out and a man on first, Marcus Semien hit his fifth dinger of the season and finished the night for Pelfrey. Rich Hill pitched the seventh and Bob Melvin brought in Sean Doolittle for the eighth. Doolittle did his job, and John Axford closed out the game for the win. Axford gave up his first run of the year, but it was too little, too late for Detroit. The A’s improve to 11-10 and are tied with the Texas Rangers for second place in the AL west just two percentage points behind the Seattle Mariners.
Game Notes- Rich Hill’s ERA dropped to 2.42 after his magnificent outing Tuesday night. Game three of the series will feature an outstanding matchup between the A’s ace Sonny Gray and the former Cy Young winner and MVP, Justin Verlander.
Here is some news regarding Tyler Collins The report is from the Detroit Free Press regarding Collins’ possible suspension for the improper gesture. The report is as follows:
” The Detroit Free Press is reporting that MLB has concluded review of Tyler Collins incident. He will not be suspended,
Major League Baseball is reviewing Collins’ improper gesture to fans during Monday night’s win over the Athletics. Collins lost a fly ball in the lights Monday Night and did not react well when he was booed by the fans.
A league spokesperson told the Free Press today the league has opened an investigation regarding the incident, in which the Tigers centerfielder flashed his middle finger to fans.
“If anything needs to be done, we’ll handle it internally,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “And if Major League Baseball has a reaction, then we’ll see what their reaction is.”
“Nobody wants that ball to get lost less than me,” Collins said. “That hurts. And to be at home and to hear boos after that play, it hit a trigger inside of me, and I lashed out, completely inappropriately.
“I’m embarrassed that happened and I’m very sorry to everybody in Detroit. I just want you guys to understand that I love this team, and I want to win so when we come home and get booed, it’s tough to swallow. But like I said, I apologize completely, and I’m embarrassed at myself, and I know my family is embarrassed at me and I’m sure these guys are, too, so I’m sorry that happened.”
MLB previously suspended right-handed reliever Jonathan Papelbon for seven games while with the Phillies in 2014 after making an inappropriate gesture to fans while getting booed after blowing a save.
The Tigers’ Joe Nathan wasn’t disciplined by the league in 2014 after giving a chin flick to fans following a win.
If Collins is suspended while on the 25-man roster, the Tigers would not be able to fill that spot, having to play one man short. If he is optioned to Triple-A Toledo – which could be on the horizon, given Cameron Maybin’s recovery from a shoulder injury – any potential suspension would take place if he returns to the big leagues. He can appeal any suspension.
Time of game was two hours and thirty-six minutes and 22,256 people watch Rich Hill make magic with his curve ball in the win for Oakland.
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