Oakland A's Recap: Too Much Verlander and Cabrera, as Oakland Falls to Detroit

If you are going to lose, you might as well lose to the best in the business, and the best would be Justin Verlander.

He was as advertised, holding the A's to a single run on just two hits. He also recorded one walk with eight strikeouts in seven dominant innings, as the Tigers won 3-1.

A's starter Jarrod Parker was not sharp, as he allowed six hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings. However, he left with the score tied at one with two outs in the sixth, when Grant Balfour walked in the go-ahead and, ultimately, game-winning run.

Miguel Cabrera added insurance with an RBI single in the ninth inning. He also singled in the fifth to score the other Tiger run.

The A's only offense came off the bat of Seth Smith, who launched a solo home run to the concrete steps in right field. That tied the score in the fifth inning, but the A's were unable to come through in the eighth with another good chance.

After Daric Barton walked, catcher Anthony Recker sacrificed and moved the Barton to second. Needing a single to most likely tie, both Eric Sogard and Cliff Pennington struck out.

Good: Seth Smith. He wins by default. A walk and his solo home run were about all the A's did offensively. This is the third Sunday game at home with a Smith homer.

Bad: The A's offense. It's to be expected that runs would come with difficulty against Verlander, but 11 strikeouts and a lack of execution with runners in scoring position is not acceptable. 

Ugly: Cliff Pennington. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, and that's just not going to cut it for a leadoff hitter. Let's hope that Jemile Weeks' ankle injury is not serious. 

Having split with the Tigers, the A's head to Anaheim for two with the Los Angeles Angels starting Monday night. Now 18-17, Tyson Ross will face former A's pitcher Dan Haren with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.