Tigers look to salvage series tie in Oakland

Donaldson 3-run homer in 9th beat Tigers Wednesday

OAKLAND, Cal. – The Detroit Tigers (29-20) looked to be well on their way to a second straight win Wednesday before a walk-off three-run home run from Josh Donaldson sent the visiting team home with its eighth loss in 10 days.

Anibal Sanchez dominated the Oakland Athletics (32-21) for eight innings before they broke through in the ninth against closer Joe Nathan. In 8 1/3 innings Sanchez allowed three hits and struck out nine, with his only run coming while Nathan pitched in the ninth.

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On Thursday the Tigers will try to salvage a 2-2 series tie in Oakland as Rick Porcello hopes to bounce back from his first rough outing of the season. The righty surrendered eight runs to the Rangers on Saturday to inflate his ERA to 3.88, but he still leads Detroit with seven wins.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit (Detroit)

Porcello will face an A's roster that hits just .224 against him in his career. The only player to boast extended success against the 25-year-old is Coco Crisp, who hits .385 (5/13) off of him.

Oakland will counter with 30-year-old Jesse Chavez, who has a very short history against Detroit. Tiger batters have just 27 at-bats against Chavez combined with seven hits and two home runs. Ian Kinsler is 0-8 against the righty.

After the game on Thursday afternoon the Tigers will travel to Seattle for a three-game series before returning home.