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A's try to get power game going in opener with Tigers

Jul 19, 2011 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - The Athletics have not been able to muscle their way to many victories this season, so Sunday's explosion at the plate was a welcome site.

Oakland will try to keep its hot second-half play going on Tuesday when it opens a two-game set with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Guillermo Moscoso's return to the rotation.

The Athletics rank last in the American League with 52 home runs, but their latest round-tripper was a big one and came during an eight-run first inning on Sunday versus the Angels. After plating three runs to begin the game without recording an out, Conor Jackson connected on the first grand slam of his career to highlight a 9-1 victory.

Jemile Weeks, who started the inning with a walk, capped the frame's scoring with an RBI single as Oakland took three of four from its American League West rivals after losing four straight heading into the All-Star break.

While Jackson's homer was certainly the inning's big moment, interim manager Bob Melvin pointed out afterwards the ripple of effect of each hitter staying patient during the surge.

"We had really focused at-bats," Melvin said. "It started with Weeks, who got behind in the count and ended up drawing a walk and good things happened after that. Sometimes it's just about passing the baton and having confidence in the guy behind you."

Oakland should have plenty of confidence in Moscoso, who snapped a four- decision losing streak in his last big-league start on July 6. The right- hander hurled seven scoreless innings on that day versus Seattle, scattering two hits and a walk with five strikeouts in his first win since May 29.

Moscoso (3-4, 2.16) has allowed just five runs -- only one of those earned -- over his past four appearances, but went just 1-1 in that span. Still, he didn't let that get to him on the mound.

"A terrific performance," said Melvin after the victory over the Mariners.

With the A's not needing another fifth starter until after the All-Star break, Moscoso was sent to Triple-A Sacramento following his win and made a start with the minor league club last Thursday. The 27-year-old struck out nine and gave up two earned runs over six innings in a loss.

Moscoso will make his first career start versus the Tigers, though he has faced them in relief, and will be followed by Brandon McCarthy (2-5, 3.64) in Wednesday's finale.

A former draft pick of the Tigers, Moscoso may not get much offensive help in the form of the long ball as the Athletics did not homer during their four- game set with Detroit at Oakland from April 14-17. The A's, though, took the final two games of that series by an 11-3 margin and did win three of four in Comerica Park last year.

Oakland will try to prevent Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.78) from winning a third straight outing after the Detroit starter picked up victories over the Giants and Royals prior to the All-Star break.

Porcello last pitched on July 8, giving up three runs -- one earned -- on six hits over 5 1/3 innings to best the Royals at Kansas City. Porcello, however, is just 3-4 with an unflattering 6.41 ERA in seven starts at home.

The A's faced the 22-year-old back on April 15 when he and McCarthy dueled for six innings. The Tigers eventually forced extra innings on Miguel Cabrera's solo homer in the ninth inning before Detroit exploded for seven runs in the 10th frame to take an 8-4 victory.

Porcello gave up seven hits over six innings of one-run ball in a no-decision and is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in five career starts versus Oakland.

Detroit entered play on Monday tied with Cleveland for first place in the AL Central following a 4-3 victory over Chicago on Sunday. Brad Penny gave up three runs over 6 2/3 innings to get the win and Victor Martinez hit a two-run single in the sixth to tie the game before scoring the go-ahead run in the frame on a Carols Guillen single.

"Penny did a good job and we came back against a team that's hot right now," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "It was a good win for us on a hot day."

Detroit had been outscored, 13-2, in losing the first two games of the set. The Indians swept Minnesota in a doubleheader on Monday to take a one-game lead over the Tigers in the division standings.