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Athletics-Tigers Preview

May 14, 2009 - 10:32 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Oakland (13-18) at Detroit (17-15), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Oakland Athletics have started to break through the hitting woes that have plagued them all season.

That resurgent offense will get a test Friday night against one of the AL's top pitchers at the start of a three-game series in Detroit.

Oakland (13-18) entered a two-game home set with Kansas City last in the AL with a .236 batting average, 121 runs and 18 home runs, but produced 19 runs and 20 hits in a sweep of the Royals.

"Everybody's contributing up and down the lineup," manager Bob Geren said. "Every inning we feel like we can score. It's a good feeling. When they get pitches, they're not missing them."

After producing 13 hits and scoring a season-high 12 runs in Tuesday night's series opener, the A's combined for seven runs in the sixth and seventh innings of a 7-2 victory Wednesday night.

"It's just a matter of time," said designated hitter Jack Cust, who hit a three-run double. "Guys have been swinging the bats better and doing the little things ... trying to push across runs any way we can instead of waiting for the home run or the big hit."

Oakland's batting average has reached .240 for the first time since April 17, but the A's will next face Detroit right-hander Edwin Jackson, who is among the AL leaders in ERA (2.60) and strikeouts (35).

Jackson (2-2) had his third scoreless outing in five starts in Saturday night's 4-0 win in Cleveland, pitching seven innings while striking out seven for a second straight start.

The Tigers (17-16) could use a strong performance from Jackson after they dropped all three games in Minnesota, including Thursday's 6-5 defeat.

Justin Verlander struck out a career-high 13 through 6 1-3 innings and Detroit gave him a five-run lead. However, the Twins responded with all six of their runs in the seventh as Tigers reliever Bobby Seay gave up four while recording only one out.

"You give good teams opportunities, and it's going to bury you," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said.

After giving up three runs in a sweep of the Indians last weekend, the Tigers allowed 26 against the Twins. Detroit has a 4.75 ERA on the road but ranks first in the AL with a 3.54 home ERA.

Making his first appearance against the Tigers, Oakland left-hander Brett Anderson (0-3, 5.79) will also try to earn his elusive first major league win. Anderson allowed five runs over 4 2-3 innings May 4 in a 5-2 loss to visiting Los Angeles - the third time in five starts he has given up five runs.

He'll face a Detroit lineup that's averaged 5.8 runs while winning three of its last four home games.