Jackson gets night off, hopes to warm up in May

OAKLAND -- Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said outfielder Austin Jackson was just getting a game off Wednesday. After batting .310 in April, Jackson has had a rough go during May, entering Wednesday night batting .217 in the month.

"I just think April was a better month offensively," Ausmus said. "I don't think May is indicative of the type of player he's going to be over the six-month season."

Jackson, who drove in the winning run Tuesday night, has hit consistently well throughout the season, with a high of .297 in June and a low of .266 in September and October.

"There's really nothing gross that he's doing," said Ausmus. "He's just in a little bit of a funk. I don't think he's expanding the zone."

Jackson has pretty good numbers for May in his career, with the 28 doubles his best of any month and being successful in all 15 of his stolen-base attempts in the month.