Detroit Tigers strike late to pick up win over the Oakland Athletics 6-5

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After dropping seven of their past eight games, the Detroit Tigers were finally able to pick up a win, defeating the Oakland Athletics 6-5 on the road late Tuesday night.

Austin Jacksons RBI groundout in the top of the eighth inning gave the Tigers (29-19) the one run lead late, which would hold up to give the Tigers their 29th win of the season. Jackson was bumped down to seventh in the lineup due to his recent struggles at the plate, but was able to go 1-fro-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Miguel Cabrera continued his torrid pace on Tuesday night against the Athletics (30-21), going 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. Cabrera is currently hitting a ridiculous .412 over his past 10 games, despite the Tigers recent struggles over the past week.

Torii Hunter and J.D. Martinez also picked up two hits and an RBI each on Tuesday night. Martinez–who batted in the fifth spot–also picked up a walk and has done well in a small platoon role out in left field. Tuesday was his second multi-hit game in his past six games played for the 26-year-old outfielder.

The Tigers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after an RBI single from Cabrera followed by an RBI double two batters later from Martinez. The A’s would answer in the second inning with a couple of RBI doubles to nod the score at 2-2.]

The visiting team fell behind by one run until Hunter’s solo shot in the seventh inning tied the game, giving way to Jackson’s RBI groundout the next inning to seal the victory for the Tigers.

Max Scherzer had an unfamiliar outing for him on the mound on Tuesday night. Over six innings, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner allowed five runs on eight hits, while striking out only four batters. The low number of strikeouts is what stands out, as well as his current ERA, which is now up to 3.00 after a very nice start to the 2014 season.

The A’s ace was also on the bump on Tuesday, and he struggled in his own right as well. Sonny Gray lasted six innings as well, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out five Tigers’ batters. The similar pitching performances between Scherzer and Gray left the game up to the bullpens.

Al Alburquerque, Joba Chamberlain and Joe Nathan shut down the A’s lineup in the last three innings, each going 1-2-3 in their respective innings. The Tigers were able to get to the A’s bullpen late with Hunter’s bomb and Jackson’s late grounder that brought in the winning run.

The Tigers look to put a couple of wins together on Wednesday as they face the same A’s team in their third game of the series. Anibal Sanchez (2-2, 2.83 ERA) is set to take the hill for the Tigers against veteran hurler Scott Kazmir (5-2, 2.56 ERA), who has had a stellar start to his 2014 season. First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. EST.