Watch CBS News

Hahn, A's Finish Off Sweep, Send Tigers To 7th Straight Loss

DETROIT (AP) Losers of seven straight - and now closer to last place than first - the Detroit Tigers will accept any signs of a breakout.

Right now, there aren't many.

Tyler Collins hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning Thursday, but by then the Tigers were already way behind the Oakland Athletics. Detroit ended up losing 7-5, and only that four-run ninth made the final score respectable.

"It was good to see us swing the bat and hit some balls hard," manager Brad Ausmus said.

Jesse Hahn allowed one run in seven innings for Oakland, andJosh Phegley hit a two-run triple in the second. The A's won for the sixth time in seven games, although they still have the worst record in the American League.

Hahn (3-5) gave up five hits. He struck out five and walked one.

After Detroit pulled within two on the three-run shot by Collins,Tyler Clippard got two outs for his ninth save.

Shane Greene (4-5) allowed six runs - four earned - and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings. He made a throwing error that contributed to Detroit's trouble.

The Tigers have lost seven in a row for the first time since April 26 to May 2, 2011, according to STATS. That was the year they began their current streak of four consecutive AL Central titles.

"Everything is under a microscope when you are losing like this, but there has been no change to our daily routine and no change in the guys' attitudes," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "We come ready to play but right now the ball is not rolling in our direction."

Detroit has not lost more than seven straight since an eight-game skid in 2005.

Oakland's three-run second inning set the tone Thursday.

With runners on first and third and nobody out, Eric Sogard hit a grounder to the pitcher, and Greene threw wildly to second for an error. A run came home on that play, and Phegley's first career triple made it 3-0.

Billy Butler hit an RBI double in the third and a run-scoring single in the fifth. Left fielder Daniel Fields, who entered midway through the game for his major league debut, overran the ball for an error on Butler's fifth-inning hit, allowing another run to score.

Detroit managed only one hit in the first five innings before putting together a mild rally in the sixth. Miguel Cabrera's RBI single made it 6-1, but Fields struck out with two on to end the inning.

Fields doubled to right in the ninth for his first hit. He was sent back to the minors after the game. Detroit expects outfielder Rajai Davis to be back from the paternity list in time for Friday's game.

GOOD MATCHUP

Hahn shut out the Tigers on May 25, and on Thursday the right-hander again took advantage of a Detroit lineup that's become a bit lopsided with switch-hitting Victor Martinez and lefty-swinging Alex Avila out with injuries.

"So far this year, I've been better against righty hitters," Hahn said. "There's only two lefties in that lineup you really have to worry about."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: 1B Stephen Vogt left in the ninth with a right leg cramp after chasing a foul pop that ended up well back in the seats. ... Drew Pomeranz pitched the eighth for Oakland, his first appearance since May 18. He'd been out with a shoulder issue.

Tigers: Yoenis Cespedes left after two innings with flu-like symptoms. He was replaced by Fields in left.

UP NEXT

Athletics: Head to Boston for a three-game series. A's LHP Scott Kazmir (2-3) takes the mound Friday night against LHP Wade Miley (4-5).

Tigers: Play a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox. Detroit LHP Kyle Ryan (1-0) faces LHP Jose Quintana (2-6) on Friday night.

Updated June 4, 2015

w11© 2015 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.