Snakebitten Mike Pelfrey still searching for first win with Tigers

9:13 PM ET

OAKLAND — The margin for error was slim on Sunday, which the Detroit Tigers discovered the hard way in a 4-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

The Tigers could have — should have — been benefactors of a fine performance from snakebitten starter Mike Pelfrey. And for a team that ranks third in offense in the American League and had been rolling — with eight wins in 10 games heading into the series — the Tigers could have — should have — taken a three-game set against the A’s, who are currently fourth in the AL West.

However, the top of the order was shut out by Oakland starter Rich Hill and two plays in the sixth inning proved costly in Sunday’s defeat, leaving the Tigers to depart for Anaheim — the second stop along their West Coast jaunt — to face a talented Los Angeles Angels team after suffering a pair of losses in the Bay Area.

An uncharacteristic error by sure-handed second baseman Ian Kinsler and a misjudgment on a ball to center by outfielder Cameron Maybin aided in the A’s three-run sixth inning, one that ushered Pelfrey out of the game and ultimately spelled the Tigers’ demise.

“I should have come up with that ball, Cam missed the ball in center field by a couple inches, and that’s the game,” Kinsler said. “We understand we need to win close games and that’s why it hurts today, but we’re going to turn the page. It’s baseball. You’ve got another one tomorrow. You can’t sit here and dwell on it.”

Mike Pelfrey threw 5 2/3 innings on Sunday, allowing six …

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