Game 34 Recap: McCarthy Razor Sharp as A's Declaw Tigers 3-1

Brandon McCarthy was just a little bit better than Doug Fister, and as a result, the A's defeated the Tigers 3-1 at the Coliseum this evening. McCarthy was fantastic over seven shutout innings, allowing only four hits and striking out 10.

Fister was not much worse, going six innings and allowing only a first-inning run on five hits and two walks while striking out eight. Brian Fuentes allowed a run, but managed to get his second save of the year in the ninth.

The A's offense was provided early by Jonny Gomes, who singled in Jemile Weeks to open the scoring in the first. From there, the starters settled in nicely in a pitchers' duel.

Detroit reliever Phil Coke entered and allowed an infield single to Colin Cowgill. The next batter was Cliff Pennington, who sliced an opposite field liner down into the right field corner for a triple, scoring Cowgill. Daric Barton followed with an opposite field single to score Pennington and close the scoring. Ryan Cook and Fuentes provided two innings of relief to ensure the victory for Oakland.

Good: Brandon McCarthy. More like awesome, excellent and amazing. He mowed through a potent Detroit lineup with ease. To get 10 strikeouts on 91 pitches is pretty good stuff. 

Bad: N/A

Ugly: N/A

With the win, the A's are now 18-16 and will look to win the four-game series tomorrow as Jarrod Parker faces Detroit ace Justin Verlander. The A's will be without Yoenis Cespedes, who is on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 7th. Weeks left the game with an ankle injury and it is not known if he will play Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.