Tigers sweep O’s

Thursday September 23 at Tiger Stadium.

Mickey Lolich (3-3, 5.43) didn't need much help as he only allowed one run on six hits and one walk in going the distance.  Nevertheless the Tiger bats gave him plenty.  Lou Whitaker supplied most of the help, driving home the first two runs after Milt Pappas (2-4, 5.50) walked the bases full in the second, then driving home two more with a double in the fourth and a final run in a 6 run 7th.  Altogether the Tigers chalked up 12 runs and coasted to a 12-1 win.

Friday September 24, at Tiger Stadium.

Jack Morris was looking for another Tiger bat fest and he got it.  whereas in his last outing, the Tigers had trouble scoring and cost him a win, this time, the bats were alive.  Dave McNally (3-6, 3.09) was the victim of ten runs, including 3 homeruns, to Lance Parrish (7),  Al Kaline (5) and Ray Boone (6).  Morris struck out 11 in 8 and a third innings, (7-1, 2,31) Tigers 10  Orioles 1

Saturday September 25 at Tiger Stadium.

Denny McLain had given up 20 homers in 60 innings.  In the first Boog Powell (7) made it 21 with a two run shot to right center.  When the Orioles continued to kick McLain around in the 2nd, scoring 3 more on a two run double by Al Bumbry and a single by Eddie Murray, Denny was headed for an early shower.  Fred Gladding came in and closed the door on the Orioles and continued to keep the door closed for the next 3 innings.  Meanwhile, the Tigers waited for their bats to come alive.  Dennis Martinez held the Tigers in check for two innings, but gave up four runs in the 3rd, highlighted by a three run Norman Cash homerun (11).  In the fourth, Charley "Paw Paw" Maxwell tripled with one out and scored when Alan Trammell dropped a sweet squeeze bunt.  Martinez exited after the fourth and Hoyt Wilhelm came on.  Kaline greeted Wihelm's first pitch with a line drive into the left field lower deck and the Tigers were ahead.  Boog Powell greeted John Hiller with a lead off double in the 6th and scored on Gus Triandos' double.  Though each time had scoring chances, the game remained tied into the 11th.  With two outs, Al Bumbry singled.  Then Eddie Murray caught a too well placed fastball and drove it into the right field seats (7).  The bottom of the 11th saw Kirk Gibson lead off with a strike out.  Whitaker worked a walk and Harvey Kuenn moved him to second  with a ground out.  Kaline singled Sweet Lou to third and that brought up Stormin' Norman Cash.  With manager Tom Davis shouting from the dugout that he could do it, Cash simply grinned and rubbed the head of his bat with a little dirt.  He must have been hiding the cork because the next pitch sailed high and deep to right, missing the overhang and dropping softly into the right field seats for a walk off three run homer.(12).  Mark Fidrych got the win (3-0, 4.50).  Dick Hall took the loss (0-1, 6.05)  Tigers 9  Orioles 8  

--submitted by Tom “Crash” Davis--