OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- The Oakland Athletics stayed alive in the ALDS by shutting down Detroit 2-0 in Game 3 behind a strong pitching performance by Brian Anderson.
Anderson (1-0) held the Tigers to two hits and two walks and struck out six over six innings, and Grant Balfour locked the door in the ninth to earn the save.
Seth Smith hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and Yoenis Cespedes drove in a run in the first inning. Josh Donaldson went 2-for-3 for the A's.
Coco Crisp scored a run and made a spectacular leaping catch in the second inning that robbed Prince Fielder of a likely home run to preserve Oakland's 1-0 lead.
Anibal Sanchez (0-1) allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings and took the loss for the Detroiters. Jhonny Peralta was 2-for-2 and drew a walk.
The Tigers still lead the best-of-five series and can advance to the league championship series by beating the A's in Oakland Wednesday.
