BOSTON, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Anibal Sanchez struck out 12 over six hitless innings Saturday and the Detroit Tigers opened the American League Championship Series with a 1-0 win over Boston.
Sanchez (1-0) overcame six walks while Al Alburquerque, Jose Veras and Drew Smyly combined to hold the Bosox without a hit over the next three innings as the Tigers flirted with the first combined, post-season no-hitter in major league history.
Closer Joaquin Beniot finally surrendered a one-out bloop single to Daniel Nava in the ninth, but went on to complete the save as Detroit grabbed the early advantage in the best-of-seven ALCS.
Jhonny Peralta's RBI single in the sixth inning sent home Miguel Cabrera with the game's only run.
Red Sox starter Jon Lester (0-1) yielded just the one run on six hits over 6 1/3 innings.