What Oakland’s Saying About Detroit’s 2-0 Series Lead

Oct 7, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics pitching coach Curt Young (41) talks to relief pitcher Grant Balfour (50) during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers of game two of the 2012 ALDS at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

The Detroit Tigers won a wild Sunday afternoon ballgame to go up two games to none on the Oakland Athletics who will now have to use every bit of their “home field advantage” to sweep the homestand to move on to the ALCS. The Tigers need to take just one of three games in Oakland to win the series. Here’s what some Oakland Athletics writers are saying about their team’s current predicament.

Andrew Brown, Swingin’ A’s

"…find the mojo left at the Coliseum. The last six games of the season were magical for the A’s at home and if they can find that mojo again there is no doubt this team can sweep the Tigers. The Coliseum will be rocking Tuesday night and that should help put the A’s players right back at home (pun intended)."

Nico, Athletics Nation

"You can chalk up today’s heartbreaking loss to a dropped fly ball by Coco Crisp and runs off each of the A’s 3 “plus relievers”. The end result is that the A’s need to “run the table” in Oakland or their season will end in the next few days."

Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle

"There are certain acceptable ways of losing to the Tigers. Justin Verlander‘s name comes quickly to mind. There’s no disgrace in giving up a titanic home run to Miguel Cabrera or Prince Fielder.Al Alburquerque and Don Kelly … not at the top of the list.The A’s headed back to Oakland on Sunday night with a 2-0 deficit in the Division Series because a .186 hitter lofted a game-winning sacrifice fly, and it’s crazy enough that a guy named Alburquerque got the win. He ticked off the A’s, as well, with a bizarre bit of showmanship."

Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle

"Needing a sweepThe A’s swept seven of their 23 home series of three games or more, including five in the second half."

Mark Purdy, Mercury News

"There’s no question that of all the higher-seeded teams with an alleged “home-field advantage” this week, the A’s received the shortest end of the stick. Not only did they have to open away from home, they did it three time zones away to the east (always tougher than going west) and faced a Sunday 9 a.m. first pitch according to their body clocks."