Raining Here, Clear in Detroit!

"After yesterday's rain delay, the A's are back here in Detroit. Nate Robertson pitching in the top of the 1st. He walks Swisher in the lead off. Payton's up ... well hit down the middle for a single, Swisher goes to 3rd. Next up is Jason Kendall. Kendall hits a deep double, Swisher makes it easily ... Payton stops at 3rd."

"This has shades of yesterday, but at least Verlander got to two outs before getting lit up."

"Hoo-boy. True. Robertson walks Frank Thomas. Next up is Milton Bradley, who unloaded that deep homerun yesterday. He strikes out swinging at a wicked curve and limps back to the dugout."

"Eric Chavez comes up, and grounds into the double play to end the inning. Robertson survives a scare."

***

"And Robertson strikes out Scutaro to bring us to the bottom of the sixth. After a shaky 1st inning, he's really calmed down, but the Tigers hitters haven't done much against the A's ace, Barry Zito."

"Zito walks Granderson. Next up is Monroe, who had a solo shot last night. Well hit down the middle, that's a double. Polanco grounds out, runners hold. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, one out. Ordonez steps up to the plate. He takes the 1st ball, swings at the next pitch and .... It's gone! Three run shot for Ordonez. Zito's walking back and forth, mumbling to himself. Next up is Guillen -- a deep double! Zito's looking shaky."

"A called Ball-4 against Pudge Rodriguez ... Zito tried to get tricky. Next up is Casey, who grounds into the 4-6-3 double play. Zito gets out, but the Tigers are up 3-1."

***

"Bottom of the 7th, Tigers still up by 2. Zito walks Inge."

"I don't know why he hasn't been pulled yet."

"Well, he's vulnerable, but not tired, according to the Tiger's pitching coach."

"Santiago bunts! The tigers play small ball for their third insurance run, and Inge makes it to second. Sacrifice bunt for Santiago. Next up ... Granderson. He grounds weekly to the shortstop and is thrown out. That would have been a routine double play .... but Inge was at second."

"Monroe's next ... a hit down the 1st base line. Inge rounds the corner and makes it home!"

"Polanco steps up to the plate. He's been quiet against the A's this series, only earning one walk. Here's the pitch ... Deep shot towards the right corner. Bobby Kelty, who replaced the injured Milton Bradley after his pulled ligament, can't get to it in time and it takes a nasty bounce. Monroe's heading home ... Polanco's trying for a triple, and there's no throw. A triple!"

"The manager is coming to the mound ... Zito gets the hook."

***

As -- 1 Run, 6 Hits, No Errors
Tigers -- 6 Runs, 10 Hits, No Errors

Nate Robertson Wins with the complete game. 9 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4BB, 7Ks, 1 HBP

Zito gets the loss (6 2/3 IP, 8H, 6ER, 3BB, 3SO)

The As and Tigers split their series at one game apiece.