Tigers right-handed starter Jordan Zimmermann allowed seven hits and one earned run in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out one and walked one as the Tigers lead 7-3 after the top of the seventh.
The inning started when Oakland's Coco Crisp reached base on an error by Zimmermann, who ran to first base to cover the bag and dropped Miguel Cabrera’s underhand toss. Yonder Alonso followed with an RBI double to cut the Detroit lead to 7-2.
Zimmermann was pulled after issuing a two-out walk to Billy Burns. Tigers left-hander Blaine Hardy entered the game in relief to face pinch-hitter Mark Canha, who hit an RBI single.