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OAK@BOS: Parker stifles Red Sox for first MLB win

As far as pitchers and umpires go, they usually aren't the best of friends. When it comes to Laz Diaz, you can be pretty sure Justin Verlander doesn't love the sight of him calling a game when he's on the mound.

The Tigers ace will have to deal with Diaz when he gets the ball for the series finale against the A's, as the clubs face off in the final installment of a four-game set.

Verlander has given up nine runs on 13 hits in 12 innings in two starts with Diaz behind the plate. The last time Diaz called a Verlander start, the two got into a spat between innings.

Verlander has a 3-1 record this year with a 2.63 ERA. In 51 1/3 innings, Verlander has struck out 48 and walked just 11 batters.

The A's will counter with 23-year-old Jarrod Parker. The right-hander will be making just his fourth start with the A's, and carries a 1-0 record with a 1.80 ERA. He has gone at least 6 1/3 innings in his three outings, and has struck out 12, giving up just one home run.

A's: Continue to win in May
• After a 3-0 win over the Tigers on Saturday, the A's improved to 7-3 in the month of May. That is the second best record in the American League behind Baltimore (8-3).

• The A's string of five consecutive games with a steal was snapped on Saturday.

Tigers: Streak without being shutout at 101
The Tigers scored a run in the ninth inning Saturday against the A's, extending their streak of games without being shutout to 101. The club record for games without being blanked is 110, from August 28, 1992 to June 29, 1993.

Worth noting
Miguel Cabrera's career batting average versus Oakland dropped significantly with an 0-for-4 performance Saturday. His average dropped from .667 (6-for-9) to .462 (6-for-13).

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