(Best E Casino) - Dontrelle Willis makes his first start in nearly two months this evening when the Detroit Tigers play the middle tilt of their three-game series with the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum.

Willis, who is 0-1 with a 7.50 earned run average this season, didn't last long in his last start back on April 11 against Chicago, as he hyperextended his right knee in the first inning, landing him on the disabled list

The 26-year-old left-hander returned on May 21, but in a relief role. He made one appearance out of the bullpen two days later, giving up a run and a hit in an inning of work. Tonight, he is expected to pitch four or five innings before being replaced by Armando Galarraga, who took his spot in the rotation.

Willis, a native of Oakland, defeated the A's the only other time he faced them, tossing seven scoreless innings.

In the opener of this set on Monday, Bobby Crosby went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, but it was his RBI single in the bottom of the ninth that lifted Oakland to a 3-2 win.

After Huston Street kept the Tigers scoreless in the top of the ninth, Francisco Cruceta was greeted by a Kurt Suzuki single in the bottom half, and Suzuki moved to second when Jack Hannahan put down a sacrifice bunt. Crosby then ripped a 1-1 fastball that reached the gap in right-center, allowing Suzuki to cross the plate with the deciding run.

Daric Barton went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the A's, winners in two straight after a four-game skid. Suzuki went 2-for-4 in drove in a run as the A's won despite going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranding 10 men on base.

Street (1-1) picked up the win in relief of Rich Harden, who held the Tigers to two runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out eight and walking three.

Curtis Granderson homered and Jeff Larish had an RBI single for the Tigers, who have lost two of three. Cruceta (0-3) took the loss in relief of Kenny Rogers, who allowed two runs on six hits in seven-plus frames, fanning three and walking four.

Magglio Ordonez continued to struggle in Oakland. He was 0-for-4 in Monday's loss and is hitting just .196 for his career at McAfee.

Oakland will pin its hopes tonight on lefty Dana Eveland, who is 4-4 with a 3.66 ERA. Eveland was pounded by the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start on Thursday, as he surrendered seven runs and 11 hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

Eveland has never faced the Tigers.

Oakland won six of its 10 matchups with the Tigers last season.