Tigers vs. Athletics, ALDS Game 3: 'A's live to never die'

The Oakland Athletics defeated the Detroit Tigers, 2-0, in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday, and SB Nation's Athletics Nation had a good time recapping the victory.

One key point of the A's site's recap was the great outing by starting pitcher Brett Anderson to help keep Oakland alive in the series. Anderson gave up just two hits while striking out six in six scoreless innings. Athletics Nation enjoyed the efficiency of his outing:

Did you know Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown? That's pretty amazing. He also grounded out on one pitch to bring Anderson's pitch count to 8 after the first frame.

In addition to re-living Coco Crisp's great second-inning diving catch, the writer also describes the scene as eccentric closer Grant Balfour took the mound:

The whole stadium was filled with fans doing the hulk hands rage that comes with a Balfour sighting. Becoming somewhat customary at home, Balfour would continue to express his mound presence with his personal "conversations."

Balfour would end the game in 11 pitches. Read the full Athletics Nation recap here.

Tigers vs. Athletics, 2012 ALDS Game 3: Tigers struggle on the road

The Detroit Tigers struggled in their first road game of the 2012 MLB Playoffs, falling to the Oakland Athletics, 2-0, on Tuesday and now lead the ALDS 2-1 heading into Wednesday's Game 4.

While crediting the starting pitching performance by the Athletics' Brett Anderson, Al Beaton of Bless You Boys claims that there's no reason to panic in Detroit:

No need to panic. The A's played like their season was on the line. Well, it was. If they were going to win a game, this was it. First game back home, needed to win 3, backs against the wall, I'm not at all surprised the Tigers lost. And give credit where credit is due, Anderson is really damn good. Sometime the other guy just plain beats you.

Beaton feels good about the Tigers' chances in Games 4 and 5 (if necessary) as they have Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander lined up to pitch those games respectively while the Athletics will likely start rookies.

Tigers vs. Athletics final score: Oakland stays alive with 2-0 victory

The A's extended the American League Division Series to four games with a win on Tuesday night.

Tigers vs. Athletics score update: Oakland extends lead to 2-0

The Oakland Athletics pushed their lead over the Detroit Tigers to 2-0 on Tuesday night in Game 3 of the division series on a solo homer by DH Seth Smith. Smith took a pitch from Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez deep to centerfield in the bottom of the fifth.

Sanchez has been solid through six innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs over six innings while striking out three batters. But he hasn't gotten any help from his teammates, who were stymied by Oakland ace Brett Anderson. In six innings, Anderson allowed just two hits while striking out six. He was replaced to start the seventh by reliever Ryan Cook.

Those two hits were recorded in the second inning by Delmon Young and Jhonny Peralta, but Andy Dirks and Avisail Garcia were unable to bring either batter home. The A's took a one-run lead early in the game on a single by Yoenis Cespedes.

Tigers vs. Athletics score update: Oakland up 1-0 after 3

The Oakland Athletics took an early 1-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night in Game 3 of their division series matchup on an RBI single by Yoenis Cespedes.

The A's got to Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez early in the first inning, putting two runners on base before Cespedes drove a run home on a grounder up the middle.

But Sanchez quickly settled down, striking out Brandon Moss and getting Josh Reddick to ground into a double play to end the inning. From there, Sanchez has allowed only one more runner.

Unfortunately for Detroit, their hitters have been even more impotent. Detroit put two runners on base in the second after singles by Delmon Young and Jhonny Peralta, but neither Andy Dirks nor Avisail Garcia could bring a run home off of Oakland starter Brett Anderson.

The Tigers, of course, have a chance to clinch a sweep over Oakland with a win tonight. Anderson, though, has been stellar in his brief return since Tommy John Surgery.

Tigers vs. Athletics lineups: Detroit looks to sweep behind Anibal Sanchez

The Detroit Tigers can close out the Athletics Tuesday night in Oakland after taking both games of the ALDS at Comerica Park. The Tigers will run out the same lineup as in Game 2, and the A's will only swap starting catchers, using Game 1 starter Derek Norris instead of George Kottaras.

Both teams send postseason novices to the hill. Right-hander Anibal Sanchez (4-6, 3.74), a midseason acquisition from Miami, starts for Detroit. Left-hander Brett Anderson (4-2, 2.57) will toe the rubber for Oakland.

Lineups as follows:

Tigers (2-0)

1. Austin Jackson (R) CF
2. Omar Infante (R) 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 3B
4. Prince Fielder (L) 1B
5. Delmon Young (R) DH
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) SS
7. Andy Dirks (L) LF
8. Avisail Garcia (R) RF
9. Gerald Laird (R) C

Athletics (0-2)

1. Coco Crisp (S) CF
2. Stephen Drew (L) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Brandon Moss (L) 1B
5. Josh Reddick (L) RF
6. Josh Donaldson (R) 3B
7. Seth Smith (L) DH
8. Derek Norris (R) C
9. Cliff Pennington (S) 2B

ALDS 2012: Athletics to start Brett Anderson in Game 3

The Athletics will send left-hander Brett Anderson to the mound on Tuesday night to face the Tigers.

Tigers vs. Athletics, 2012 ALDS Game 3: Time, TV schedule, starting pitchers and more

The Detroit Tigers will attempt to clinch the ALDS in Game 3 on Tuesday.