Boyd, bullpen get beat up; Tigers fall to A's 12-3
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Matt Boyd tried to do a little too much. Looking back, he wished for a few do-overs.
Victor Martinez hit a tying two-run homer in the sixth inning to get Boyd off the hook for the loss, but the Detroit Tigers' bullpen fell apart, allowing nine runs in three innings in a 12-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.
The Tigers had won nine of their previous 11 games.
"We made too many mistakes and left the ball over the middle of the plate," Tigers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said.
Warwick Saupold (1-1) relieved starter Matt Boyd, gave up five runs on five hits and recorded one out in the sixth to suffer the loss.
Boyd, recalled from Triple-A Toledo to make the start, gave up three runs on six hits over five innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out seven, including the first four he faced.
"I got myself in trouble and tried to overthrow a little bit," Boyd said, adding that "I need to be able to get deeper into games. I wish I could have a few pitches back but I'll make a few tweaks and be ready in five days."
Billy Butler and Khris Davis each hit a home run and drove in three runs for the A's. Danny Valencia had three hits, including a home run, and Coco Crisp and Jake Smolinski each drove in two runs while the A's reached double figures in scoring for the first time this season. The 17 hits were also a season high.
Jesse Hahn (2-2) pitched six innings, giving up three runs on five hits to remain undefeated against the Tigers in three starts. He walked four and struck out five.
"He's got a good, hard two-seamer that can be tough on right-handers and we're a predominantly right-handed hitting team," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "That's the main reason he's tough on us."
Solo home runs from Butler and Valencia gave the A's a 2-0 lead after four innings. Justin Upton scored for Detroit on a wild pitch in the fifth, but Crisp, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games, drove in a run to make it 3-1, setting up the fireworks that followed.
Cameron Maybin went 0 for 4, ending his 10-game hitting streak.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: OF Steven Moya was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Friday night's game to make room for Boyd. Moya appeared in one game with the Tigers, going 1 for 1 with an RBI.
Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray (right trapezius strain) threw about 35 pitches off the bullpen mound Saturday and is scheduled to throw off the regular mound Tuesday. ... RHP Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder) was extended to throwing 105 feet on Saturday and came out of it feeling good. He'll throw a bullpen on Monday. ... RHP R.J. Alvarez (right elbow) is scheduled to throw to hitters on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Tigers: RHP Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.55) is expected to start Sunday's series finale against the A's. He's 0-3 with an 11.05 ERA in three starts against the A's, all at home.
Athletics: LHP Rich Hill (7-3, 2.18) gets the start for the A's on Sunday. He's undefeated over his past four starts and his seven wins through May are the most since Mark Mulder won eight in 2003.
