The Oakland Athletics kept their dream season alive with a 2-0 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the ALDS Tuesday night.

Brett Anderson and a few timely hits are the main reason Oakland was able to keep its continue its postseason going.

Anderson, who only started six games during the regular season, allowed just two hits in six innings. He didn't allow a run, striking out six batters and tossing constant ground-ball outs.

In the fifth, Seth Smith put the Athletics ahead 2-0. His solo shot to center field gave Anderson and the Athletics bullpen more than they would need to extend the series at least one more game.

Now that you know how it went down, let's check out how Twitter reacted and grade a few players.

Twitter Reaction

Oakland Athletics beat reporter Jane Lee provides some insight regarding the Oakland starting pitchers:


Remember Bartolo Colon in an Athletics uniform, Fox Sports Radio host Ben Maller does:

Ray Ratto, reporter for CSNBayArea.com, spoke to the Athletics' efficiency at the plate:

ESPN Stats & Info gives us some insight into Prince Fielder's bad luck:

Major League Baseball's Twitter supplied some insight from Jim Leyland following the game:

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings lays down his thoughts regarding Game 4:

 

Grades

Brett Anderson: A

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Anderson allowed two hits through six scoreless innings of play. His six strikeouts were paced by a dazzling array of breaking pitches, allowing him to keep the ball on the ground in the process.

Pitching with limited experience this season was a tall task for Anderson, but he made it work in a big way.

 

Grant Balfour: A

There's just something about Balfour right now. He gets fired up while coming in from the pen, and he's delivered so far.

He allowed a hit to Miguel Cabrera in the ninth inning, but he also struck out one batter to slam the door.

 

Yoenis Cespedes: B

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Cespedes robbed Prince Fielder of an extra-bases hit after Coco Crisp robbed the slugger of a home run, but he was only 1-4 at the dish.

Cespedes started Oakland's scoring off in the first inning, proving why he's one of baseball's fastest rising five-tool players.

 

Bob Melvin: A

The winning manager usually does his job correctly, and that's the case here. Melvin kept Anderson in for the proper amount of time and turned to Ryan Cook thereafter.

He knows what bullpen combinations work, and he knows what doesn't. For a team like Oakland, crafty management is important, and Melvin is one of the best.

 

Prince Fielder: C

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Fielder gets a C here only because he was robbed twice, but he still went hitless in four at-bats. Fielder only has one hit in the series thus far, depriving the Tigers of a main power source in their lineup.

If Crisp hadn't robbed his home run early in the game, Fielder would be redeemed.

 

Miguel Cabrera: C+

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Cabrera had a single in the ninth inning, but the Triple Crown winner was silent otherwise. With Omar Infante and Austin Jackson going a combined 0-7 in front of Miggy, there wasn't much opportunity for runs from his bat.

Even so, one hit from an elite player is disappointing.

 

Jim Leyland: B

The Tigers were outplayed Tuesday night, but it didn't have much to do with Leyland's management.

He could have gone with Drew Smyly in the sixth inning, but Octavio Dotel wound up working out well. Leyland also could have switched up his struggling lineup, but it's tough to blame him for sticking with the squad that's got them this far.

 

What's Next?

These two teams will square off in Game 4 on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET. Detroit will send Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.74 ERA), while the Athletics turn to A.J. Griffin (7-1, 3.06 ERA) to force the decisive fifth game.