BOSTON -- The Detroit Tigers already made history on Saturday night, and they were so close in making more.

On a night that began with Anibal Sanchez striking out four batters in the first inning, including Shane Victorino, who reached first base on a wild pitch, the Tigers' pitching staff had a near no-hitter in Game Anthony Rendon Jersey 1 of the American League Championship Series. Detroit won 1-0 to take the opening game in the series.

-- | Recap | | | |

Sanchez pitched the first six Austin Voth Jersey innings before giving way to Al Alburquerque in the seventh, Jose Veras and Drew Smyly in the eighth and Joaquin Benoit in the ninth. Benoit struck out Mike Napoli to start the ninth before giving up a clean single to center by Daniel Nava.

Quintin Berry came in to pinch run and after Stephen Drew flied out, Berry stole second. Xander Bogaerts then popped out to shortstop to finish the game.

Sanchez threw 116 pitches over six innings and was fading in the sixth, when he i sued three of his Adrian Sanchez Jersey six walks on the night. Sanchez got out of that jam by striking out Stephen Drew, his 12th of the night, but that was the end of his outing.

-- | | |

Sanchez, who struck out 17 Marlins in a game Eric Thames Jersey earlier this season to set a Tigers record, became the first pitcher to strike out four batters in a playoff inning since Orval Overall in Game 5 of the 1908 World Series, the game that clinched the Cubs' last title -- against the Tigers. Overall's strikeout roster included Ty Cobb, while Sanchez fanned Jacoby Ellsbury, Victorino, David Ortiz, and Mike Napoli.

Alburquerque relieved Sanchez to start the seventh inning, and struck out pinch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia and then Ellsbury. In the eighth, Veras struck out the first two batters before Smyly came on to get the final out in the eighth, a popout by David Ortiz.

Benoit finished Ryan Zimmerman Jersey up the ninth and secured the victory but wasn't able to close out history.

The Tigers took the lead in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single by Jhonny Peralta.

It's the second straight game the Tigers have had a deep no-hit bid, as Justin Verlander took a no-no into the seventh inning of Game 5 of the ALDS in Erick Fedde Jersey Oakland. The only no-hitters in playoff history have been Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and Roy Halladay's no-no in the 2010 NLDS.