A’s pitch Prince Fielder where they shouldn’t, down 2-0

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: The A’s strike out a ton. Max Scherzer strikes out more hitters than anyone in baseball. The A’s are striking out against Max Scherzer -- five so far through four innings, with just one hit. Sometimes baseball is weird, and sometimes it’s a magazine you’ve already read.

The Tigers have a 2-0 lead to support Scherzer, getting the first run in the third inning. Alex Avila doubled to lead off the inning, and he was moved to third on a sacrifice. Austin Jackson made the sac bunt superfluous, though, singling to left for the Tigers’ first RBI hit since Game 1.

And in the fourth, this happened:

You really shouldn’t pitch him there.

Rookie A.J. Griffin has allowed six hits, and he hasn’t walked or struck out a batter.