Butler, Davis Power Athletics Past the Tigers 12-3
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Billy Butler got the Athletics going, Khris Davis broke it open and the Oakland Athletics had their largest offensive output of the season.
Butler and Davis each homered and drove in three runs and the A's beat the Detroit Tigers 12-3 on Saturday, ending a three-game losing streak.
"It just felt good to contribute," Butler said. "Sometimes you have to wait your turn."
Danny Valencia had three hits, including a home run, and Coco Crisp and Jake Smolinski each drove in two runs while the A's reached double figures in scoring for the first time this season. The 17 hits were also a season high.
"Early on, he was the offense," A's manager Bob Melvin said of Butler. "He got us on the board and then got the big hit later."
Jesse Hahn (2-2) pitched six innings, giving up three runs on five hits to remain undefeated against the Tigers in three starts. He walked four and struck out five.
"Hopefully this will be a huge momentum carrier for us," Hahn said. "Maybe this is the game from where our season takes off."
Warwick Saupold (1-1) relieved starter Matt Boyd, gave up five runs on five hits and recorded one out in the sixth to suffer the loss. The Tigers had won nine of their previous 11 games.
Victor Martinez hit a tying two-run homer in the sixth before the A's scored nine runs in the sixth and seventh.
Boyd, recalled from Triple-A Toledo to make the start, gave up three runs on six hits over five innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out seven, including the first four he faced.
"I got myself in trouble and tried to overthrow a little bit," Boyd said. "You miss your spot, you need to calm yourself down. I was trying to make a pitch better than it was supposed to be."
Solo home runs from Butler and Valencia gave the A's a 2-0 lead after four innings. Justin Upton scored for Detroit on a wild pitch in the fifth, but Crisp drove in a run to make it 3-1, setting up the fireworks that followed.
Davis has a major league-leading 11 home runs in May.
"He's had a nice month," Melvin said. "And maybe he's not done yet. I had 11 in a year once, so I have nothing to compare it to."
Marcus Semien also drove in a run, and the A's scored more runs than they had in their previous four home games combined.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: OF Steven Moya was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Friday night's game to make room for Boyd. Moya appeared in one game with the Tigers, going 1 for 1 with an RBI.
Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray (right trapezius strain) threw about 35 pitches off the bullpen mound Saturday and is scheduled to throw off the regular mound Tuesday. ... RHP Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder) was extended to throwing 105 feet on Saturday and came out of it feeling good. He'll throw a bullpen on Monday. ... RHP R.J. Alvarez (right elbow) is scheduled to throw to hitters on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Tigers: RHP Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.55) is expected to start Sunday's series finale against the A's. He's 0-3 with an 11.05 ERA in three starts against the A's, all at home.
Athletics: LHP Rich Hill (7-3, 2.18) gets the start for the A's on Sunday. He's undefeated over his past four starts and his seven wins through May are the most since Mark Mulder won eight in 2003.