Spencer Torkelson blasted a three-run homer, Troy Melton struck out a career-high nine batters, and the streaking Detroit Tigers rolled past the struggling Athletics, 6-1, on Wednesday.
Jake Rogers came off the bench and contributed two hits, including a two-run homer, while scoring twice. Riley Greene added two hits and drove in a run.
Melton allowed one run (zero earned) and four hits in 5 1/3 innings in Detroit’s seventh win in its last eight games. A trio of relievers held the Athletics scoreless the rest of the way.
A’s starter Jeffrey Springs gave up six runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four. Springs has lost his last nine decisions.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer had three hits for the Athletics, who have lost five straight and nine of their last 10.
Both teams had an All-Star leave the game in the second inning. A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz departed due to an illness, while Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler exited after getting hit on his throwing hand with a foul ball.
The Tigers scored in the first inning. Dingler reached on an infield single and Kevin McGonigle and Torkelson drew walks, loading the bases. Greene drove in Dingler with a single.
The A’s stranded two baserunners in the second. Detroit then made it 3-0 in the bottom of the inning. Zach McKinstry walked. Then with two out, Rogers drove a Springs fastball over the left field wall for his second homer this season.
The A’s broke through in the fourth. Tyler Soderstrom hit a one-out double and scored when shortstop McKinstry made a throwing error on Jacob Wilson’s grounder.
Melton struck out the side in the fifth. His teammates then extended the lead to 6-1.
Rogers and McGonigle had one-out singles before Torkelson launched a Springs slider over the left field wall for his 15th homer.
The A’s stranded two baserunners in each of the sixth and seventh innings.
