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Live Tigers blog: Tigers beat A's, 4-1

Al Willman
The Detroit News
Michael Fulmer of the Tigers pitches in the bottom of the first inning.

Michael Fulmer pitched a gem Friday night, in the Tigers' 4-1 win over the Oakland A's.

Fulmer (4-1) won his second straight start, going 7 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up two hits, striking out three, walking one and hitting a batter.

Ian Kinsler was 3-for-5 for the Tigers (24-23), finishing a home run shy of the cycle.

Nick Castellanos was 2-for-4 with a home run.

Sean Manaea went six innings for the A's (20-29), allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out four and walking two.

The two teams continue their series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. eastern.

Top 9th: Tigers add insurance run

With one out in the top of the ninth, Ian Kinsler collected his third hit for the Tigers. He scored on a J.D. Martinez hit, after A's right fielder Chris Coghlan misplayed the ball and lost his glove on the play, allowing Martinez to get over to third base. Going to the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers lead 4-0.

Bottom 8th: Tigers escape jam

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Tigers starter Michael Fulmer continuing to cruise, the A's offense tried to make things a little more interesting. Chris Coghlan singled, and moved to third on a ground-rule double from Coco Crisp. That was it for Fulmer, who threw an absolute gem. Left-handed reliever Justin Wilson struck out pinch-hitter Billy Butler to end the inning, and the threat. After eight, the Tigers are holding on to a 3-0 lead.

Top 8th: Tigers go 1-2-3

The Tigers went down in order in the top of the eighth inning. It was the first time the Tigers went down 1-2-3 since the first inning. Michael Fulmer looks to be heading back out to the mound for the Tigers to start the bottom of the eighth, leading 3-0.

Bottom 7th: Fulmer rolls

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer breezed through the seventh inning, save for only one baserunner -- Jed Lowrie was hit by a pitch with two outs. Fulmer has tossed seven shutout innings, allowing a hit, walking one and hitting a batter. After seven, the Tigers lead 3-0.

Top 7th: Tigers strand 2 more

The Tigers stranded a pair of runners in the top of the seventh, including one in scoring position. After Jose Iglesias doubled to lead off the inning -- chasing A's starter Sean Manaea -- he was thrown out at third on a fielder's choice by Ian Kinsler. Two batters later, Miguel Cabrera worked a two-out walk, advancing Kinsler to second before Victor Martinez flew out to left field. Going to the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers lead 3-0.

Bottom 6th: Fulmer breezes despite walk

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer allowed his second baserunner of the night -- a one-out walk to Chris Coghlan -- but stranded him on first base. After getting Coco Crisp to fly out and Billy Burns to ground out, Fulmer got to a point few Tigers starters have been able to navigate through this season. He's thrown six shutout innings, allowing a hit and issuing a walk, while only striking out one. Fulmer hasn't been overpowering the A's, instead letting his defense play behind him and the offense provide some run support. After six, the Tigers lead 3-0.

Top 6: Castellanos adds to Tigers' lead

Nick Castellanos added to the Tigers' lead with a solo home run to left field on the first pitch of the sixth inning. After Justin Upton fouled out to A's first baseman Yonder Alonso, Cameron Maybin walked, but was picked off between first and second base two batters later to end the inning. After five and a half, the Tigers lead the A's 3-0.

Bottom 5th: Fulmer remains unfazed

While the end to the previous half inning may have people talking, Tigers starter Michael Fulmer clearly remains dialed in. He set the A's down in order, for the third inning in a row and the fourth time tonight. Fulmer has allowed only one hit -- a single by Khris Davis in the second inning -- in five innings, while striking out one and not walking a batter. After five, the Tigers are up 2-0.

Top 5th: Weird turn of events ends inning

With one out and runners at the corners, Victor Martinez popped out into what might be the most unusual double play the Tigers have seen this season. Martinez fouled out to A's first baseman Yonder Alonso, who then threw the ball back towards third base to hold Ian Kinsler -- who doubled to lead off the inning -- from tagging and scoring. Instead, the throw hit Martinez, resulting in Kinsler being called out -- ending the inning. After four and a half innings, the Tigers remain ahead 2-0.

Bottom 4th: Fulmer keeps dealing

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer continued his strong outing by retiring the A's in order for the second inning in a row. He struck out Danny Valencia swinging to end the inning, and after four the Tigers are ahead 2-0.

Top 4th: Tigers score twice

The Tigers got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, scoring twice on A's starter Sean Manaea. Justin Upton singled with two outs, to keep the Tigers alive. Cameron Maybin extended his hitting streak to 10 games by singling in Upton, and scored on an RBI single from James McCann. After three and a half innings, the Tigers lead 2-0.

Bottom 3rd: Fulmer finds groove

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer appears to have found his groove in the bottom of the third inning. He set the A's down 1-2-3 for the second time in three innings, and looks to be placing his pitches well so far. The Tigers are sending Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos -- who are each 1-for-1 -- and Justin Upton to bat in the bottom of the third, and the game is scoreless.

Top 3rd: Tigers waste Kinsler triple​

Ian Kinsler tripled off the wall in left field -- and a leaping Coco Crisp -- with one out in the top of the third inning for the Tigers. J.D. Martinez followed by striking out looking, while Miguel Cabrera grounded out to first baseman Yonder Alonso. Going to the bottom of the third, the game is still scoreless.

Bottom 2nd: Tigers hold A's to single

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer held the A's to one hit in the bottom of the second inning -- a single from Khris Davis with two outs. Neither offense has gained the upper hand, as yet, and after two innings the Tigers and A's are scoreless.

Top 2nd: Tigers put 2 on, strand them

After Victor Martinez led off the top of the second inning with an infield single, and was moved up on a single from Nick Castellanos that bounced off of third base, the Tigers offense cooled off. Justin Upton struck out swinging, before Cameron Maybin fouled out to A's first baseman Yonder Alonso and James McCann struck out swinging. After one and a half innings, the game is scoreless.

Bottom 1st: A's go 1-2-3

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer equaled his counterpart Sean Manaea in the bottom of the first, retiring the A's 1-2-3. A's catcher Stephen Vogt grounded out to third baseman Nick Castellanos -- playing in short right field -- to end the inning. After one, the Tigers and A's are scoreless.

Top 1st: Tigers go in order

The Tigers failed to muster a hit against A's starter Sean Manaea in the top of the first inning. Ian Kinsler led off with a hard-hit ball to center field, but A's center fielder Billy Burns made a diving grab to save extra bases. Going to the bottom of the first, the game is scoreless.

How to watch: Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland A’s

The Tigers open a two-city, six-game West Coast road trip Friday night against the Oakland A’s with a 10:05 p.m. first pitch.

The Tigers have won eight of their last 10 games to claw back into the AL Central race. They are in fourth place but only three games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox.

Michael Fulmer will make his sixth start. Fulmer is developing his repertoire, as Lynn Henning reports, and it’s paying dividends for a Tigers team that hopes to make it back to the postseason after missing out in 2015.

After three games in Oakland the Tigers will play three against the Angels starting Monday night.

TIGERS VS. A’S

BATTING ORDER

TIGERS

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. J.D. Martinez RF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, 3B

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Cameron Maybin, CF

8. James McCann, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Michael Fulmer, RHP

A's

1. Coco Crisp, LF

2. Billy Burns, CF

3. Stephen Vogt, C

4. Danny Valencia, 3B

5. Jed Lowrie, 2B

6. Khris Davis, DH

7. Yonder Alonso ,1B

8. Marcus Semien, SS

9. Chris Coghlan, RF

Sean Manaea, LHP

When: Friday, 10:05 p.m.

Where: Oakland Coliseum

Pitching matchup: Michael Fulmer (3-1, 5.13 ERA) vs. Sean Manaea (1-2, 7.62 ERA)

Local TV: Fox Sports Detroit

National TV: None

Internet streaming: MLB.TV

Local radio: 97.1 FM

Satellite radio: SIRI Internet 849