Athletics at Tigers
Their rotation in tatters after a seventh pitcher landed on the disabled list, the Oakland Athletics keep finding ways to pull out improbable victories. Already assured of a winning record on their 10-game road trip, the Athletics look to build on a dramatic victory when they continue their four-game set at the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.
Jed Lowrie homered in the top of the ninth in the series opener to lift Oakland to a 5-4 win and capped a four-hit night Tuesday with the go-ahead single in the ninth of a 9-7 victory. The Athletics received homers from Lowrie and Chad Pinder to erase a 6-0 deficit and extend their major-league record by going deep in 27 consecutive road games. While Oakland has won eight of its last 10 and is 6-2 on the road trip, the skidding Tigers have dropped a season-high seven in a row after blowing leads of three and six runs in the first two games of the series. Nicholas Castellanos is 6-for-12 over the past three games for Detroit, which has surrendered 54 runs during the current slide.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Chris Bassitt (0-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Mike Fiers (5-4, 4.29)
Bassitt was sent down to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday but was summoned back to Detroit after the Athletics decided to give Sean Manaea, Wednesday's schedule starter, an extra day of rest. He lost for the third time in as many starts this season, giving up five runs over 5 1/3 innings at the Chicago White Sox. Bassitt is seeking his first major-league victory since Aug. 4, 2015.
Fiers lasted only five innings Friday in Cleveland, giving up four runs and four hits, including a pair of home runs that boosted his season total to 16 blasts surrendered. He has allowed four runs in his last three starts at Comerica Park, where he is 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA this season. Fiers has made nine appearances (eight starts) versus Oakland, going 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics RH Blake Treinen has converted 19 saves, including 15 in a row.
2. Tigers 1B John Hicks and CF Leonys Martin are 4-for-8 and 4-for-9, respectively, in the series.
3. Athletics RH Daniel Mengden went on the disabled list Tuesday with a foot sprain.