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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Juan Encarnacion's three-game rest paid
off.
Encarnacion returned to the Tigers lineup Sunday and hit a
three-run homer to lead Detroit to a 5-3 victory over the Oakland
Athletics.
Tigers manager Phil Garner said Encarnacion had appeared tired -- thus the extended bench time.
"Whatever they want to do is the way it's going to be, I have
no choice," Encarnacion said. "I just have to be ready when I get
my chance. I just want to play the game."
Plus, Garner said, Rich Becker was playing well in Encarnacion's
place. Becker homered and drove in three runs on Friday night
against the A's.
"(Encarnacion) has been playing a lot, and sometimes kids
aren't used to playing a full season," Garner said. "He probably
got a little flat and fatigued. I gave him a couple of days to
rejuvenate, and Becker had played well, so you have to give him a
chance to play, too."
Brian Moehler (9-7), coming off a complete-game victory over
Baltimore on Tuesday, gave up three runs on seven hits over seven
innings. It was his third straight win.
Todd Jones came in with the bases loaded and two outs in the
eighth inning and went on to earn his American League-leading 33rd
save.
The A's, meanwhile, lost for the seventh time in eight games.
With one out in the fifth, Brad Ausmus singled off Barry Zito
(1-1) and Damion Easley walked.
Encarnacion stepped up with two outs and homered into the
left-field seats. It was his 11th home run of the season.
Encarnacion was batting second in the order for just the second
time this season.
The Tigers went up 2-0 in the second when Shane Halter homered
after a single by Deivi Cruz.
Oakland scored in the sixth when Sal Fasano singled, Randy
Velarde walked and Ben Grieve hit an RBI single with two outs.
Velarde tried to score on the play when Cruz dropped the ball, but
was thrown out at the plate when the shortstop recovered in time.
Eric Chavez narrowed the gap for the A's in the seventh inning
with a two-run home run off Moehler.
Zito was making his fifth major league start. He won his debut
on July 22 against Anaheim, but had not gotten a decision since.
Zito went six innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. He
struck out five and walked two.
A's manager Art Howe said regardless of the results, Zito
pitched well.
"That's what you ask your starters to do -- keep you in the
game. We stayed in the game," Howe said.
"That's the nature of the game," Zito said. "Sometimes you go
out and make a lot of mistakes and still win. Today the long ball
got me."
Howe juggled the lineup before Saturday's victory, and stayed
with the changes on Sunday.
Leadoff batter Terrence Long was moved to the No. 5 spot and
Velarde led off, and shortstop Miguel Tejada jumped to the No. 2
spot after batting at the bottom of the order for much of the year.
Matt Stairs fell from the No. 5 spot to seventh in the order.
Game notes
Detroit RHP Hideo Nomo is still being bothered by pain in
his middle finger. The Tigers had hoped he could return by Monday
or Tuesday against Seattle. Willie Blair, Steve Sparks and Jeff
Weaver are the probable starters for the three-game series. ...
Tejada had a 13-game hitting streak snapped ... Oakland's Omar
Olivares made his first appearance in relief since coming off the
disabled list on Saturday. Olivares, a former starter who had a
strained right shoulder, said Saturday he was unhappy with the move
to the bullpen. ... Easley's 11-game hitting streak ended.
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