'The Tigers threaten but do not score' in loss to Oakland

BOX

KEY STAT

0-for-10; as in the Tigers were Oh-For-Ten with runners in scoring position

KEY PLAY

Choose your own threaten-but-do-not-score moment. Mine came in the fourth inning when Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera reached scoring position in the fourth inning with no outs. Detroit failed to score.

KEY THOUGHTS

Victor Martinez stranded four runners, yet he was the only Tiger to get multiple hits in the game.

Justin Verlander didn't have his best game, but he can hardly be blamed for the loss. The Tigers scored just one run under normal game conditions, with the second coming when the A's took their foot off the gas pedal a bit in the ninth. It's funny, because you would think the Tigers should have their best shot to win with Verlander on the mound, yet they have just one win against three losses during his starts this year. He has gone at least six innings every game and has not allowed more than three runs in any starts. It seems like every year there's a tough-luck pitcher. It better not be Verlander this year, but it's certainly started off that way.

BB: Brennan Boesch took two walks. That makes four walks this series.

The Tigers can win the series with a victory Sunday. Starting the road trip 3-1 would have to be considered a positive.