Tigers turn page after ‘pen’s rough day vs. A’s

OAKLAND — The Tigers’ bullpen played a key role in the team’s run of nine wins in 11 games heading into the weekend. On Saturday it was the catalyst for Detroit’s first loss on its seven-game road trip to the West Coast.

Rookie Warwick Saupold gave up five runs and retired just one batter in the sixth, while Alex Wilson surrendered four runs in the seventh, allowing the A’s to break open a tight game and pull away for a 12-3 win.

“Rough day for the ‘pen today,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “You’re going to have those days. File it and come back tomorrow.”

This one might be a little tougher to forget after allowing the last-place A’s to pound out a season-high for hits and runs.

Detroit had tied the score at 3-3 on Victor Martinez’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth and Ausmus felt good about turning the game over to his bullpen after starter Matt Boyd struck out seven over five innings.

That’s when …

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