A's 5, Tigers 3
DETROIT -- Ben Zobrist's grand slam capped a five-run eruption in the seventh inning and the Oakland A's held on for a 5-3 victory over the slumping Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
It was the sixth career grand slam for the Oakland left fielder, who had just one home run this season. Center fielder Billy Burns added two hits and an RBI and Kendall Graveman (3-2) pitched six innings to get the victory for the A's (21-33), who have won four of their last five games. Tyler Clippard pitched a scoreless ninth for his eighth save.
Third baseman Nick Castellanos had a two-run single for Detroit (28-25), which has lost five straight and eight of its last 10. Alfredo Simon (5-3) took the loss despite taking a shutout into the seventh.
Zobrist crushed his grand slam to right field off reliever Angel Nesbitt to give the A's a 5-3 lead in the seventh. Nesbitt had just come in to relieve Simon, who gave up an RBI single to Burns before departing. Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler made a mental error on the previous batter, throwing home on second baseman Eric Sogard's grounder during a first-and-third situation instead of taking a sure out at first. All runners were safe, facilitating Oakland's outburst.
The Tigers broke through with three two-out runs in the fourth. Detroit loaded the bases and Graveman uncorked a wild pitch that went to the outside with catcher Stephen Vogt set up inside. That allowed Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera to score from third. Castellanos then slapped a two-run single to the opposite field, bringing in two more runs.
Oakland had a bases-loaded opportunity during the top of the inning. Simon walked the bases loaded with two down, then retired A's shortstop Marcus Semien on a deep fly to right.
The A's got their first hit in the fifth when Burns singled with one out, but Simon induced Zobrist to hit into a double play.
NOTES: The Tigers made a series of roster moves on Tuesday. They purchased the contracts of INF Josh Wilson and OF Daniel Fields from Triple-A Toledo, optioned RHP Buck Farmer to Toledo and placed OF Rajai Davis on the paternity list. Davis is expected to rejoin the Tigers on Friday, according to GM Dave Dombrowski. ... Detroit SS Hernan Perez, who was out of options, was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. Perez had just two hits in 33 at-bats this season. ... Detroit RHP Justin Verlander, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since March 29 with biceps tendinitis, will make another rehab start with Toledo on Saturday. He pitched 2 2/3 innings for the Mud Hens on Sunday. ... The A's activated LHP Eric O'Flaherty from the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Angel Castro to Triple-A Nashville. O'Flaherty was placed on the DL on May 2 with a left shoulder strain. ... Oakland was a major-league-worst 3-15 in one-run games and 4-22 in games decided by two or fewer runs.