Tigers go for second straight victory after snapping streak Tuesday

Detroit beat Oakland 6-5 Tuesday

OAKLAND, Cal. – After losing seven out of their last eight games, the Detroit Tigers (29-19) pulled off a gutsy 6-5 victory Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics (31-21).

In a game that featured Oakland's ace Sonny Gray against defending Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, the teams combined for nine runs in the first four innings and saw both starters last just six innings. Miguel Cabrera and Torii Hunter led the way for Detroit, each notching two hits and solo home runs.

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Scherzer continued the trend of bad starting pitching for the Tigers, surrendering five runs over six innings. This marks the fourth straight game that a Detroit starter has surrendered at least five earned runs, and the four starters allowed a combined 28 runs in those games.

The last time the Tigers got a quality start was on May 23 when Anibal Sanchez went seven innings to beat the Rangers. Sanchez allowed just two runs that game and will look to give Detroit a chance to win its second straight game on Wednesday night.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN California (Oakland)

Despite owning just two quality starts through seven outings, Sanchez has been one of Detroit's most effective pitchers in 2014. The 30-year-old owns a 2.83 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, both best among Tiger starters.

Sanchez owns a 1-3 career record against the Athletics including postseason matchups in each of the last two seasons.

Oakland will send out Scott Kazmir in search of a rebound from Gray's tough start. The 30-year-old is off to a sizzling start to his Athletics career, posting a 5-2 record and 2.56 ERA through his first 10 starts. Kazmir saw Detroit twice last season as a member of the Indians, allowing six runs in 10 2/3 innings.

Victor Martinez owns gaudy numbers against Kazmir, including a .500 average (10/20), three doubles, one home run and four RBI. The American League batting average leader picked up eight hits in his last four games for Detroit.

After Game 3 of the series on Wednesday, the Tigers and A's will finish this four-game series on Thursday afternoon. Detroit will then fly to Seattle to complete a seven-game West Coast trip.