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Max Scherzer Dealing Against A’s, Has Thrown 9 Ks In 4 Innings
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Max Scherzer was overpowering on the mound, recording a career-high 14 strikeouts, as the Detroit Tigers defeated Oakland, 10-2, in the third installment of a four-game series at Comerica Park.
Scherzer (2-4), called up from Triple-A Toledo earlier in the day to make his first start for Detroit since May 14th, gave up two hits and walked four in 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
“Strikeouts are fun. At the same time, it also ran my pitch count up and got me out of the game earlier. I would have liked to pitch longer,” Scherzer said.
The flame-thrower took the roster spot of pitcher Dontrelle Willis, who was designated for assignment.
“(Scherzer) had a real explosive fastball,” said Oakland manager Bob Geren. “He was beating us a lot with the high fastball.”
Miguel Cabrera went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI for Detroit, which snapped a four-game losing streak. Brandon Inge doubled twice and homered, while Magglio Ordonez added two RBI in the victory.
Daric Barton hit a two-run homer for the Athletics, who were denied a fifth straight win. Dallas Braden (4-5) was saddled with the loss, surrendering five runs on 11 hits in six full frames. The left-hander is winless in his last four starts following a perfect game against Tampa Bay on May 9th.
The Tigers picked up a run in each of the first four innings on singles by Ordonez and Gerald Laird, a double by Cabrera and Inge's solo blast.
Carlos Guillen homered to left field leading off the sixth to give Detroit a 5-0 lead.
Oakland got on the board in the seventh. Rajai Davis grounded a two-out single and Barton crushed Phil Coke's first offering to him over the wall in right field.
Cabrera's three-run homer off reliever Vin Mazzaro capped a five-run eighth that quashed any hopes of an Oakland comeback.
Scherzer, who was acquired from Arizona last December, had gotten roughed up for 38 runs in just 42 innings through eight starts prior to his demotion. He was 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA in two starts for the Mud Hens...Scherzer had 11 strikeouts on September 7, 2008, for Arizona against the Dodgers...The 14 strikeouts were two shy of Mickey Lolich's club record set on May 23, 1969...Cabrera has 14 home runs and 48 RBI this season...Detroit's Joel Zumaya earned his first save of the year.
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