The Tigers opened the homestand with a lineup combination they'd not used before, for a couple of reasons.

First, Victor Martinez was a late scratch at designated hitter with soreness in his side. He was replaced in the cleanup spot in the lineup by J.D. Martinez.

"He didn't want to come out, but we can't lose Vic for an extended period," manager Brad Ausmus said.

Next, the Tigers hit Austin Jackson in the ninth spot in the order, just a day after he'd been inserted in his old leadoff spot by Ausmus. The manager said not too read too much into it, that he'd just decided to flip-flop Jackson and Rajai Davis for the game, based on Davis' numbers vs. A's starter Scott Kazmir.

DETROIT TIGERS (44-34)
Rajai Davis, LF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
J.D. Martinez, DH
Torii Hunter, RF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Eugenio Suarez, SS
Austin Jackson, CF

Pitcher: Anibal Sanchez (5-2, 2.64 ERA)

OAKLAND A'S (51-30):
Coco Crisp, CF
John Jaso, C
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Brandon Moss, RF
Josh Donaldson, DH
Stephen Vogt, 1B
Jed Lowrie, SS
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Eric Sogard, 2B

Pitcher: Scott Kazmir (9-3, 2.66 ERA)