A’s v. Tigers, Game One: Shock & Awe

The Detroit Tigers didn't have to do much to defeat the Oakland Athletics last night 5-1. The A’s decided to take the evening off on one of the biggest nights the club has experienced since the "steroid years" of the late 1980's, early 1990's. With delirious fans draped in every facet of Kelly green and gold paraphernalia, the A's promptly went out and laid a massive egg in front of a national audience. Besides the obvious embarrassment, the team played with the smarts of a Class A instructional league team. They made Detroit's Nate Robertson—an adequate arm at best—look like a wizened Sandy Koufax. They also hit into four double plays, stranded multiple men on base and made enough mental blunders to allow the Tigers to capitalize. Barry Zito, the surprise conqueror of Johan Santana in the ALDS against the Twins, appeared to have forgotten why he was there. Playoffs? Yes, Zeets. It's the first game of the ALCS remember? Gotta pitch with some guts and guile, buddy!

And give the Tigers massive credit for exploiting the A's inadequacies. When a guy can't throw strikes, one needs to pounce with immediacy on 2 and 0 or 3 and 1 pitches. Brandon Inge did as much and owned Zito like he was a pet. So did Ivan Rodriguez and a host of other no-names much of the country doesn’t know yet. This Tiger team is for real, so get used to saying their names repeatedly. Last night, they looked poised to make a mockery of this little nasty affair.

Bight spots? Another twilight game in Oakland with booze-happy baseball fans who really love the A's. Perhaps they might show up and give the folks a reason to cheer.

SFist Kevin, contributing