Detroit beat Oakland in the final game of a four game series, 5-4, on the road for a series split.

The Tigers probably should have scored in the first inning. Maybe send Don Kelly home (or be properly prepared, Kells) on Victor’s hit with two runners on. Instead, we loaded the bases and grounded into an inning ending double play.

Let’s run that first inning back:

This crazy looking snarf takes the mound for the A’s – bad tattoos running down his arm, an over-intense look. I know about this snard, too. He is a fill-in out of the bullpen. Add it up, and he predictably came out throwing too hard like a closer. Out of control. Walking G’s.

The Tigers caught on, drawing two bases on balls and running the snarf’s pitch count up quickly. However, our rookie J. D. Martinez swung on an early pitch and couldn’t even beat out the double play.

He more than made up for it with a clutch catch later in the game. It’s worth singling it out, though, so the Tigers stay on the same page. Recognize how we’re working a pitcher and always keep playing the game, running out plays ’til the end.

The Tigers got a run to make up for it shortly after when Miguel Cabrera drove home Ian Kinsler.

Rick Porcello started for Detroit, earning the win. Porcello’s only blemish put Oakland on top 2-1 after some snarf’s first home run of the season. Porcello uncharacteristically allowed six walks, a season-high. Fortunately, he kept his cool for a young snarf and battled his way out of several stressful situations, including a bases loaded no out contest.

Every single run would come back to matter for the Tigers. We took the lead back 3-2 behind another “Big Cat” RBI, then Victor Martinez sent a bases clearing double down the line for two more runs.

With Porcello running on fumes, “Krol Show” entered in relief for a bases loaded pop-up to end the 6th inning. Al-Al took the ball in the 7th, and promptly walked the first two batters with his nice 5-2 lead. Classic. Luckily, he did regain his composure to retire the side.

Joba Chamberlin did his thing in the 8th, moving us along nicely to the bottom of the ninth.

The first pitch off of Joe Nathan hit the wall for a double. It’s an ugly blurr, but after one out and advancing that runner to third, the A’s came back to within 5-4 on a double.

Needing one more out, Nathan worked a 3-0 count on the next hitter. After coming back to make a full count, exhausted Tigers fans watched a walk. Thank God, the next batter hit one hard to Cabrera, who earned the out.