OAKLAND, Calif., July 31 (UPI) -- Detroit's Jordan Tata baffled Oakland Monday, limiting the A's to two runs over seven innings in a 5-2 Tigers victory in his first major league start.
Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco wielded the big bats for Detroit, going a combined 6-for-10 with two RBI and four runs scored.
Tata (1-0) scattered six hits and two walks while striking out five as the Tigers ended a four-game losing streak. Tata got the opportunity to start because Kenny Rogers is injured.
Todd Jones pitched the ninth for his 28th save.
Mark Kotsay went 2-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored for the Athletics, who have lost four in a row.
Joe Blanton (8-8) coughed up five runs on nine hits through 6 2/3 innings. He is 0-4 over his last five starts.
