07/09/26 08:49:00
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07/09 20:48 CDT Valencia homers in 1st career plate appearance in the Tigers'
4-1 victory over the A's
Valencia homers in 1st career plate appearance in the Tigers' 4-1 victory over
the A's
DETROIT (AP) --- Eduardo Valencia became the 10th Detroit player to homer in
his first career plate appearance, Framber Valdez pitched seven innings and the
Tigers beat the Athletics 4-1 on Thursday night for a series sweep.
The Valencia entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh against Hogan Harris and
sent a 425-foot shot to center to cap the scoring and help the Tigers seal
their third straight series victory. The 26-year-old catcher was called up from
Triple-A Toledo on Thursday with fellow catcher Dillon Dingler recovering from
a right hand contusion.
Valdez (5-6) had a season-high nine strikeouts, while allowing one run on three
hits. Kyle Finnegan worked the eighth, and Kenley Jansen the ninth for his 11th
save.
Detroit has won five in a row and is 21-12 since June 1. The Tigers have
climbed within 4 1/2 games of first place in the AL Central.
Jake Rogers and Zach McKinstry also homered for Detroit.
Rogers hit his third homer of the year, and second in two games, to left in the
third to make it 1-0. McKinstry had a two-run shot to left in the fifth.
Jack Perkins (2-5) allowed three runs on two hits in three inning for the
Athletics.
Henry Bolte drove in the Athletics' only run in the fifth on a groundout. The
Athletics' Zack Gelof left the game in the third after injuring his knee
crashing into the outfield wall.
Up next
Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (2-8. 4.60 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home
against Philadelphia and RHP Aaron Nola (3-6, 5.87). The Athletics had not
announced a starter for their game Friday night in Chicago opposite White Sox
RHP Sean Burke (5-4, 3.56).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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