DETROIT -- On the day he was released, former Detroit Tigers infielder Brandon Inge told reporters that his offense would improve if he were given consistent at-bats.

It appears he'll get his chance in Oakland.

Inge made his debut with the Athletics late Monday and went 1-for-3 with a walk in Oakland's 11-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. (

.)

He lined out twice before hitting a single to center in his final at-bat.

He made two putouts, cleanly fielding both grounders hit his direction at third base, but bobbled a should-be groundout by Darnell McDonald that was ruled a single in the fifth inning.

"It was good. It was three days to get my head straight, to relax a little bit, work out and get ready to come here" he

. "It was perfect timing."

It was his first game since last Tuesday when he went 1-for-2 with a double in Detroit's 7-4 loss to Seattle. He was unconditionally released two days later, closing the books on a 12-year career with Detroit.

Inge, who batted .100 in 20 at-bats with Detroit this season, agreed Monday to a one-year deal with Oakland after he cleared waivers Sunday.

The A's are only expected to pay a prorated portion of the $480,000 minimum with the Tigers required to pay the remaining $4.897 million he was owed.

He is expected to become the A's full-time third baseman after the team lost its projected starter, Scott Sizemore, to a season-ending knee injury in the first full-squad workout Feb. 27.

"We've had some difficulty at times this year," Oakland manager Bob Melvin

. "We're glad to have him."

Sizemore was dealt by the Tigers to the Athletics last May in exchange for left-handed reliever David Purcey.

-- Follow James Schmehl on Twitter: @jamesschmehl.