​The Athletics faced the Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit today, aiming to halt a three-game slide. J.T. Ginn started for Oakland, opposing Detroit’s reigning Cy Young Award winner, Tarek Skubal. The Tigers jumped ahead early after a leadoff walk to Kevin McGonigle, as Colt Keith unloaded a homer to the deep right-center field, putting Detroit up 2-0 in the first inning.
Skubal settled in after giving up the first-run blast, striking out five of the first eight batters he faced. Henry Bolte answered in the bottom of the first with his third home run of the season, sending one into the left-field bleachers and trimming Detroit’s lead to 2-1. Through four frames, both starting pitchers allowed baserunners, yet each also surrendered a solo homer, resulting in a tense, back-and-forth battle as the Tigers tried to extend their lead while the Athletics looked for a path back into the game. Skubal departed after five innings, holding Oakland to one earned run on five hits and two walks, while punching out nine.
Jacob López was called up from AAA Las Vegas and took over for Ginn in the bottom of the sixth. The Tigers opened the inning with a walk to Zach McKinstry and a single by Spencer Torkelson. Pinch-hitter Ben Malgeri lined a double off a misplayed ball to right fielder Lawrence Butler, allowing McKinstry to score. Matt Vierling followed with a two-base hit to right, driving in Torkelson and Malgeri. Kevin McGonigle then added a run-scoring single, pushing the Tigers’ advantage to 4-1. The inning wasn’t over yet, as Vierling scored on a single by McGonigle, and another run crossed when Malgeri crossed the plate on a later sequence. By the time the A’s finally retired the side, Detroit led 6-1.
In the top of the seventh, Bolte reached on a hit-by-pitch and Nick Kurtz lined a single, putting two runners on with no outs. Shea Langeliers followed with a single, scoring Bolte to pull Oakland within four. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jonah Heim earned a four-poulter by being hit by a pitch, loading the bags for Jacob Wilson. Wilson worked the count full but struck out looking on a borderline four-seam fastball that was confirmed by the ABS system. López then retired the Tigers in order in the bottom of the seventh.
The A’s went quietly in their half of the eighth, and Elvis Alvarado entered to pitch the bottom of the frame. He yielded a hit and a walk but also struck out three, keeping Oakland in reach as Detroit continued to threaten but could not widen the gap. Oakland could not generate any meaningful offense in the ninth, failing to mount a rally as the Tigers closed it out. The Athletics dropped their fourth straight contest, 6-2, to the Tigers.
The series continued to emphasize the Tigers’ ability to capitalize on early chances, with Skubal delivering an efficient six-inning start and Bolte providing the punch Oakland needed but could not consistently match. Detroit’s bullpen held firm after Skubal, limiting the A’s offense and stifling late-inning rallies. The result pushed Oakland to its fourth consecutive loss, while Detroit secured a decisive home win at Comerica Park. For fans following the matchup, this game underscored Detroit’s ability to take advantage of early opportunities and ride a productive offensive outing from Bolte, aided by a strong showing from their starter and steady bullpen work. The Tigers move forward with renewed confidence, aiming to carry this momentum into their upcoming road trip, while Oakland seeks to regroup and reestablish offensive productivity in search of a win.