Framber Valdez needed a quality start like the one the Detroit Tigers' starting pitcher delivered Thursday night.In seven innings at Comerica Park, Valdez yielded just one earned run on three hits, striking out a season-high nine batters, leading the surging Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the Athletics, who have dominated the series recently.Entering Thursday, the Tigers had dropped 40 of their previous 53 games against the vagabond franchise, but, behind Valdez, earned their first sweep over the Athletics since June 30-July 2, 2014.Valdez (5-6) needed Thursday's win.As the Tigers, winners of eight of nine, climbed back into playoff contention, Valdez was not pitching like a No. 2 starter. Over the Tigers' previous 12 games, Valdez posted a 7.36 ERA in 11 innings, while the other members of