Giants and Athletics Win to Live Another Day

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brett Anderson threw six scoreless innings of two-hit ball. (Ezra Shaw)

October baseball is in the air folks. When it's the playoff, it ain't over until the fat lady sings. Neither the San Francisco Giants or Oakland have heard any singing as of yet. Both trailing 2-0 in a best of five series, they both won a must-win Game 3 to force at least one more game. My blog post recaps both teams' Game 3 performances.

Giants 2 Reds 1 (Final in 10)

The Reds had no problems scoring runs in the first two games in San Francico. However, at home, they found themselves in a pitcher's duel in Game 3. The Reds did get on the board first in the opening inning. Right fielder singled to right to allow shortstop Zack Cozart to score, making it 1-0. The Giants got the run back in the third inning. Center fielder Angel Pagan hit a fly ball deep enough in center to plate left fielder Gregor Blanco.

Those were the only runs surrended by the starting pitchers on the mound.  Giants veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong allowed only three hits in five innings of work, before being lifted for a pinch hitter. The Reds countered with Homer Bailey, who was absolutely superb. In seven innings of work, he allowed just one hit, while striking out 10 Giants batters. Both bullpens pitched excellently as well. This meant we were headed to extra innings tied 1-1.

In the top of the 10th inning, the Giants had men on second and third with two outs. Up to bat for the second time was backup shortstop Joaquin Arias. He hit a slow ground ball down the third base line. The home crowd to see what would happen at first base. As it turned out, that didn't matter because Reds veteran third baseman Scott Rolen bobbled the ball, giving Arias enough time to beat the throw to first base.

In the bottom half of the frame, Giants reliever Sergio Romo shut the door on the game with a 1-2-3 inning. Game 4 will be tomorrow afternoon at 4:07 pm EST.

Athletics 2 Tigers 0

Trailing the Tigers two games to none, the Athletics wasted no time getting their offense on the board early. In the bottom of the first, Coco Crisp lead off with a single. He was followed by shortstop Stephen Dew, who walked to bring rookie left fielder Yoenis Cespedes to the plate in a dangerous situation. Cespedes singled to center, but it was only enough to score one run.

On the mound for the Athletics, starting pitcher Brett Anderson was dominating the Tigers lineup. He worked six strong innings, allowing just two hits on only 80 pitches thrown. The home side added an insurance run in the fifth inning when designated hitter Seth Scott hit a solo shot to deep center to make the lead 2-0.

Unlike in Game 2, the A's bullpen was back to it's masterful ways. Ryan Cook threw a scoreless seventh inning. Sean Doolittle struck out the side in the eighth. Closer Grant Balfour wasted little time in the ninth. He induced Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder to ground in to a game-ending double play.

The Athletics got the job done when they needed to. Game 4 will be tomorrow night at 9:37 pm EST.