Colt Keith blasted a two-run homer in support of ace Tarik Skubal as the host Detroit Tigers topped the Athletics 6-2 on Tuesday.
Skubal, who has been the subject of heavy trade speculation, gave up one run on five hits in five innings. Skubal (5-4) allowed two walks and struck out nine in the Tigers’ sixth victory in seven games.
Matt Vierling supplied a two-run double, while Kevin McGonigle had two hits, scored a run and drove in another.
Henry Bolte homered for the A’s, who have lost four straight and eight of their last nine.
A’s starter J.T. Ginn (7-5) gave up two runs and two hits in four innings, striking out four and walking two.
Skubal struck out the first three batters of the game for just the second time in his career. Detroit then staked him to a lead two batters later.
McGonigle drew an eight-pitch walk before Keith clubbed a Ginn cutter 427 feet over the right-center field wall.
The A’s had runners in scoring position with two down in the second but Skubal escaped by striking out Max Muncy. Bolte made it 2-1 in the third with his leadoff homer. He smacked a slider 411 feet over the left field wall.
Both teams had numerous scoring chances in the middle innings but couldn’t push across a run until the Tigers piled up four in the sixth after the first two batters of the inning were retired.
Zach McKinstry drew a walk and Spencer Torkelson smacked a single to center. Ben Malgeri then hit a blooper to short right field.
A miscommunication allowed the ball to drop in for a double, letting McKinstry score from third.
Vierling then hit an opposite-field double to knock in two more runs. McGonigle capped the inning with a run-scoring single.
The A’s added a run in the seventh to cut the deficit to 6-2 but squandered a chance for more. Bolte was hit by a pitch and Nick Kurtz reached on an error. Shea Langeliers knocked in Bolte with a single and Jonah Heim was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
Drew Anderson escaped further damage by striking out Jacob Wilson, who represented the tying run. Jacob Waguespack retired all six batters he faced over the final two innings.
