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Sanchez goes for Tigers in rubber match against A's

Apr 14, 2013 - 2:00 PM (Sports Network) - Anibal Sanchez tries to pitch the Detroit Tigers to a series win on Sunday when they conclude their three-game set against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum.

Sanchez has been terrific in his first two starts, allowing just two runs in 12 innings. After throwing five scoreless innings in a no-decision against Minnesota, Sanchez beat the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, holding them to a pair of runs and five hits in seven innings. He also struck out eight in the win and has fanned 13 batters on the year.

Sanchez lost to the A's the only other time he faced them in the regular season, yielding six runs (5 earned) in 5 2/3 frames. He also lost to them in last year's ALDS.

Oakland, meanwhile, will counter with righty Jarrod Parker, who is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA. Parker did not get a decision on Tuesday in Anaheim, as he allowed two runs and nine hits with three walks in just 3 1/3 innings of a 9-5 win.

"We haven't seen that in a while and missing by, at times, wide margins, which he doesn't normally do either," A's manager Bob Melvin said.

Detroit stopped Oakland's nine-game winning streak on Saturday, as Jhonny Peralta clubbed a three-run homer, while Prince Fielder and Torii Hunter each added a solo shot to lift the Tigers to a 7-3 victory.

Austin Jackson and Brayan Pena each had an RBI double for Detroit, which bounced back from a 4-3 loss in 12 innings Friday.

Justin Verlander (2-1) allowed just one run on three hits while striking out six over six full frames to earn the win.

Chris Young had a two-run double and Derek Norris went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the A's.

Brett Anderson (1-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing all seven runs on eight hits, including all three homers, over 5 2/3 innings.

"It's great anytime you have a winning streak of more than one series, it kind of takes on a life of its own," Melvin said. "Confidence keeps coming with every game and when you take the field you think you're going to win."

Detroit won four of its seven regular season matchups versus the A's last season.