The Oakland Athletics avoided elimination by virtue of a 2-0 victory in Game 3 of their American League Division Series with the Tigers. The game was a pitching battle, with the two teams combining for nine hits. Oakland was able to do just enough in plating two runs, one coming on a Seth Smith home run, to live for another day.
Tigers fans were impressed with their team's pitching, but the hitting left something to be desired, according to Al Beaton of SB Nation's Tigers blog Bless You Boys:
4 ROARS:
Anibal Sanchez: Sanchez deserved much, much better, tossing a quality start of 6 1/3 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.
Octavio Dotel: Can't beat playoff experience.
Phil Coke: He was OK, which is awesome considering his recent struggles. And we got a finger point.
Rick Porcello: 1 pitch, 1 out. How long before the cries of "Porcello for closer" start?
1 BIG DAMN HISS:
The offense: We've already learned 4 hits won't win in the regular season, no reason to expect things to change in the playoffs, right?
The A's will try to hold Detroit's lineup down again in Game 4 on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. PT at the Oakland Coliseum.