Athletics 3, Tigers 0
The Athletics shut out the host Detroit Tigers, 3–0, Wednesday night behind the hitting and pitching of a pair of rookies.
Nick Kurtz gave the game all its scoring on a three-run home run. Jacob Lopez scattered three hits across seven scoreless innings, striking out six, walking one, and hitting one. Michael Kelly and Mason Miller hurled a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively, to slam the door on the league’s top team.
Tigers starter Jack Flaherty took a Tough Loss — yes, that’s an actual stat — allowing three runs on five hits across six innings for a Quality Start. He added seven strikeouts and four walks before yielding to reliever Carlos Hernandez heading into the seventh.
Athletics – Tigers Scoring Summary
The Kurtz homer came in the top of the third. Lawrence Butler drew a one-out walk and stole second on a full count as Jacob Wilson went down on a called third strike. The Tigers challenged the call by second base umpire Scott Barry, but the call stood after an inconclusive replay. Brent Rooker drew a full-count walk to put two on for Kurtz, setting the table for his decisive 438-foot bomb to dead center.
What Went Right for the Athletics
Pitching
Lopez, Kelly, and Miller dominated a potent Tigers lineup, one that entered the game having scored 5.03 runs per game. Not only did the Athletics’ pitching trio limit the Tigers to six baserunners, but only three reached scoring position.
Got the Big Hit They Needed
Although the Athletics went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base, the one hit was the Kurtz homer.
What Went Wrong for the Athletics
Missed Opportunity to Tack On
The Athletics had runners on the corners and no outs in the top of the eighth but could not extend their lead. Credit must go to Tigers left fielder Riley Greene for part of this, however. Tyler Soderstrom hit a fly ball to left that might have been deep enough for Kurtz, the runner on third, to tag up, but Greene threw a rocket to the plate, forcing Kurtz to stay put. But strong defensive play had nothing to do with the next two outs, as Luis Urias popped to the second baseman and JJ Bleday struck out swinging to strand Kurtz on third.
Looking Ahead
Lopez (2–4, 3.56 ERA) earned the win, with Flaherty (5–9, 4.80 ERA) taking the loss, as mentioned above. Miller earned his 15th save.
The Athletics (33–49) and Tigers (50–31) will square off in the rubber match Thursday afternoon. It will be a lefty-lefty battle, Jeffrey Springs (6–5, 4.24 ERA) for the Athletics and Central Michigan University product Dietrich Enns as an opener for the Tigers.
It will be Enns’ first major league appearance since 2021. He spent the last three seasons pitching in Japan and South Korea.
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