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· Detroit Stars @ Traverse City Tigers
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Series Preview
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The Traverse City Tigers are trying to get things back in order, as the Detroit Stars look to get back into this race, as they trail the Tigers by 10.5 games, while in 3rd place.
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| Game #1: |
Bob Knepper (8-4, 2.96 ERA) for T.C. vs. Detroit’s Melido Perez (8-5, 2.88 ERA) — pretty even matchup on the mound.
Top of the 1st
Bob Knepper walks Vince Coleman to lead off the inning. Coleman would steal second for his 23rd steal of the season. Brett Butler flies to center for the first out. Coleman tries to steal third, but Hassey would get him this time, two away. George Bell flies out for the final out.
Bottom of the 1st
Tim Raines gets walked by Perez, and shows Coleman he can also steal second as well, despite a fine throw by Bruce Benedict. Perez walks Mookie Wilson, runners on 1st & 2nd. Dave Winfield hits it right to Franco, flips to Uribe for one, over to first, double play, Raines moves over to third. Joe Carter hits a routine grounder to Julio Franco, but he can’t find the handle, Raines scores from third, Carter is safe, Carter rounds first, Franco quickly to Perez covering first & they nail him, but T.C. strikes first, E-4.
Bottom of the 2nd
Leadoff walk to Johnny Ray. Rafael Ramirez hits a one-out double, Ray decides to round third and go for home on Tracy Jone’s arm, and is thrown out! Aggressive baserunning by the Tigers. O’Malley grounds out for final out of the inning.
Bottom of the 3rd
Back-to-back singles by Ron Hassey & Tim Raines to lead off the inning. With runners on 1st & 2nd, Mookie Wilson lays down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up a base. Dave Winfield collects a two-run broken-bat single, with a fly that dropped in shallow right. Traverse City 3, Detroit 0
Bottom of the 4th
Pete O’Brien leads off with a solo HR just over Brett Butler’s glove at right-center wall, making it 4-0.
Top of the 6th
Tigers are playing it safe after Knepper appeared stiff in the 5th, they bring in Eric King to get the final out of the inning in Julio Franco. 5 2/3 scoreless innings for Bob Knepper, 3 hits allowed, 1 walk & 1 K for the day.
Bottom of the 7th
One-out single by Ron Hassey. Tigers pinch-run Felix Fermin in for Hassey. Raines bops one to right, in front of Butler, Fermin makes it to third safely. Runners on the corners for Mookie Wilson, the pitch, Raines is off for second and Rick Cerone throws it over Jose Uribe’s head, Fermin will score, Raines moves to third. Cerone’s streak of 45 games without a miscue are over. The Stars bring in southpaw Craig Lefferts, as Mookie will not bat from the right side; Lefferts enters with 2.21 ERA in 28 appearances this season. Lefferts walks Wilson, runners on the corners with one out. Lefferts would get Winfield to pop up, and Carter to fly out for the third out. Traverse City tacks on a little insurance, making it 5-0 Tigers!
Top of the 8th
Bob Boone comes in to catch, a defensive upgrade at second base with newly acquired Marty Barrett, as Brian Holton pitches the 8th for the Tigers, he enters with a stingy 1.82 ERA. Holton finishes it 1-2-3.
Bottom of the 8th
Tigers hit back-to-back singles with Pete O’Brien & Rafael Ramirez, with one out. Molitor hits one to Uribe, and he throws it off-center, safe all-around, mark that as a E-6 on Uribe. But Bobby Thigpen settles down & strike out Bob Boone, while Tim Raines flies to right for the final out. Traverse City still leads 5-0.
Top of the 9th
Tigers bring in Doug Jones to keep him fresh, he comes in for a non-save situation with his 1.60 ERA attached to his arm. Doug Jones walks the lead-off man in George Bell, but retires the side, as the Tigers shutout the Stars
FINAL SCORE: Traverse City 5, Detroit 0 |
| Game #2: |
Charlie Hough apparently was still tired from his previous game, and possibly some jet-lag as he joins his new team the Tigers, that means Jose Rijo will pitch & hope the Tigers can take the lead early. He brings an 8-4 record with a 3.02 ERA & will face off against the Stars’ Danny Jackson who has been spectacular with a 10-4 record & 2.08 ERA!
Top of the 1st
With Lou Whitaker on first & two outs, Dave Parker hits a no-doubter as it left the bat quick & into the right field stands! Detroit 2, Traverse City 0
Bottom of the 1st
Mookie Wilson hits a long one-out double to center. Danny Jackson loses his battle to Dave Winfield, as he walks him, setting up a possible double play. Jackson would strike out Joe Carter & Paul Molitor before letting the Tigers get comfortable.
Bottom of the 3rd
Marty Barrett leads off the inning with his first hit as a Tiger, a single to right. Tim Raines follows up with a single that drops in front of Parker, Barrett decides to stay at second, even though Parker’s arm is not what it used to be. Mookie grounds out for the first out as he advances to the runners. Dave Winfield comes up, and goes down swinging, 4 K’s early for Jackson.
Top of the 4th
One-out double for Dave Parker, his second hit of the game. Franco grounds it to the mound, only play at first, one out, Parker advances to 3rd. Jose Uribe, hot smash to Barrett, nice dive comes up and throws it past Pete O’Brien at first & Parker will score, E-4 on Barrett. Rijo walks Jim Presley, bringup Rick Cerone. Rijo rocks & fires, and strikes out Cerone. Detroit 3, Traverse City 0
Top of the 5th
Vince Coleman leads off with a liner over Ramirez’s head for a single. Brett Butler strikes out for out number one. Lou Whitaker draws a walk. Runners on 1st & 2nd, for John Kruk as he laces a single to left-center, Coleman rounds third, heading home, the throw to the plate is cut off as Whitaker goes for third, the play at third & he’s safe! Runners on first & third for Dave Parker who has a Home Run & double for the night — The Tigers decide to make a change to John Candelaria for hopefully a double play. They get their wish, and get out of the inning. Detroit 4, Traverse City 0
Top of the 7th
New reliever Dave Leiper (coming in for Eric King) for T.C. gets into a jam. With 2 outs, Butler scores from first on a throwing error by Paul Molitor, Whitaker safe at first. Kruk hits a double to score in Whitaker.
Detroit 6, Traverse City 0
The Tigers would not be able to take this one. Danny Jackson (now 11-4) pitched a 5-hit shutout, with 7 K’s & 2 walks allowed, lowering his ERA to 1.96! Jose Rijo falls to 8-5.
FINAL SCORE: Detroit 6, Traverse City 0 |
| Game #3: |
Charlie Hough is now good to go after a extra day of rest, he went 6-12, with a 3.54 ERA for the Valdosta Bombers — he hopes to try to even up that record at least by the end of the season; Hough faces off against Gubicza who’s record is the exact opposite of Hough at 12-6, with a sparkling 2.20 ERA! What a one-two punch for Danny Jackson & Mark Gubicza have been for the Detroit Stars this season.
Top of the 1st
Hough strikes out the first two batters (Coleman & Butler), while the DH George Bell sneaks a single past Rafael Ramirez, and Julio Franco draws a walk. Terry Francona steps up & strikes out — three K’s to start off his Tiger debut, Hough has to be happy with that as the fans are loving it.
Bottom of the 2nd
Back-to-back one-out doubles by Joe Carter and Paul Molitor, Carter scores, as Tigers take the first lead of the game. Barfield pops up for second out. Gubicza can’t find the strike zone, as he walks Ron Hassey. Runners on 1st & 2nd, as Rafael Ramirez steps up to the plate, Gubicza rocks & fires, Ramirez hits this one into the left-center gap, Tracy Jones cuts this off deep in the gap, as Molitor rounds third, Hassey will hold second, and Molitor scores easily. Mookie Wilson ends the inning by grounding out to Jose Uribe. Traverse City strikes first, 2-0!
Top of the 3rd
Charlie Hough walks his 3rd guy already in Brett Butler. George Bell comes up and ground out to second while Butler had the wheels going (no play at second), as Bell is out at first. Julio Franco hits a deep grounder to Pete O’Brien, but has to hold onto it, as the old man Hough couldn’t make it down to first in time — runners at 1st & 3rd, one out. Lefty, Terry Francona will face the righty Hough — the pitch, swung on & missed, two away & that’s already the 5th K rung up by Hough. Presley grounds out & ends the threat.
Top of the 4th
Tracy Jones hits a two-out single to right. Hough follows that up by allowing free passes to Vince Coleman & Brett Butler. Bases loaded for slugger George Bell — Bell is not having the monster season he had with Detroit last year, when he hit 50 bombs & 158 RBI for the Stars. Hough sets, gets ready & delivers — the pitch is over the plate, big strikeout! Bell can’t believe it, he’s sitting there trying to explain umping skills to the ump, as one of his coaches comes running out and pulling him by the arm — the ump is giving him the stink eye! 6 K’s now for Hough. Traverse City 2, Detroit 0
Top of the 5th
Julio Franco collects his second hit of the game to lead off the 5th, as Tiger second baseman Johnny Ray couldn’t get the throw off in time. Terry Francona executes a textbook hit-and-run, as there is now runners on the corners with no outs. Jim Presley hits into a double play, but will do his job by getting Franco in to score from third, to cut the lead in half. Jose Uribe grounds out to the mound for the 3rd out.
Traverse City 2, Detroit 1
Top of the 7th
Brett Butler leads off with a single to shallow right for his 100th hit of the season. Butler is off and running with the next pitch, Bell hits what seemed to be a routine grounder, and it’s off Ray’s glove and into right, as Butler makes it to third, Bell is safe at first, an E-4 on Ray — wondering if Butler’s movements towards second distracted Ray, runners on the corners, as Ray makes it tough for Charlie Hough, as Julio Franco steps up to the plate. The Stars bring in pinch-runner Bobby Meacham for George Bell, Meacham will take over the DH duties in this one. Hough walks Franco, and that loads them up with no outs. Tigers will go to their pen, and go for a southpaw to face “Tito” Francona — he’ll go with Ken Dayley. Hough allowed 7 hits & walked 6, while striking out 7 batters; Dayley enters with a 2.80 ERA in 28 innings of work, he’s got his work cut out for him. Dayley hands out a hat trick to Francona, as Francona has now struc k out three times — big K, but the threat is still very much alive. Dayley pitches to Presley, he grounds it to Ramirez, Ramirez to Barrett (who entered the inning as a defensive upgrade for Ray) for one over to first… double play! Dayley is pumped while walking off the mound. Hough is clapping in the dugout & is the first to high-five Dayley as he approaches the steps in the dugout! The score remains 2-1, Tigers!
Bottom of the 7th
Ron Hassey hits a ball to Julio Franco, where Franco biffed the play, and Hassey is safe, single-on-error by Hassey. Tigers mess up & pinch-hit Felix Fermin for Rafael Ramirez, he was supposed to pinch-run for Hassey, so Tigers now send achy Tim Raines out to first to pinch-run — we’ll see if Traverse City can get an insurance run despite the coaching miscues. Fermin finds his pitch, a perfectly executed control single as it skips by Franco into right, Raines makes it easily to third. Tigers had Fermin & Raines going as the pitch comes to the plate, Mookie Wilson lines it to Franco, snared, throws it quickly to first — double play!
Top of the 8th
Brian Holton, the Tigers’ setup man comes in with a stellar 1.79 ERA, with a 4-1 record (1 SV), as Fermin stays in at short, while Bob Boone takes over the catching duties for Hassey. Jose Uribe pops up for first out. The Stars will have Lou Whitaker pinch-hit for Bruce Benedict to face Holton; Holton sets up and fires, as Whitaker hits a routine grounder to Marty Barrett for out number two. Holton retires side as Tracy Jones pops out to shallow center with Barfield taking it in. Traverse City still holds a sliver of a lead, 2-1.
Bottom of the 8th
One-out single by Pete O’Brien that happens to trickle past the shortstop Uribe into left. Tigers decide to have Nick Esasky pinch-run for the slow O’Brien, and will likely take over the reigns at first for the night. Gubicza strikes out big Dave Winfield for the second out. Joe Carter is plunked in the leg with a pitch, he’s down on the ground, still down, trainers come out, and he will gingerly get up and trot down to first. Gubicza settles back down & strikes out Paul Molitor.
Top of the 9th
Tigers call on their closer Doug Jones to hold down this tight game, he comes in with a 1.56 ERA in 40 innings & 23 Saves! Detroit decides to have switch-hitting Wallace Johnson come into the game to bat for Vince Coleman. The delivery, hot smash to Barrett, and just out of reach, Wallace continues his wonderful pinch-hitting success for the Stars, one on, no outs. Brett Butler steps up & sends a towering fly ball to left, Wilson is on the run, will it be deep enough? Nope, just a loud out. The Stars try to stir up some magic by having Dave Parker pinch-hit for Bobby Meacham, Parker was a nuisance in Game 2 for the Tigers — hitting a HR & double, while collecting 2 RBI in the 6-0 victory. Jones sets & delivers, Parker sends this to straight-away center, as Barfield chases it down for the catch, two outs. It’s all up to Julio Franco, gets the pitch, and sends this one to center, as Barfield tracks down the catch for the final out of the ballgame!
One earned run allowed by Charlie Hough as he will get the victory, 24th save for Jones — and Gubicza pitches great in a losing effort
FINAL SCORE: Traverse City 2, Detroit 1 |
| Game #4: |
Word prior to the game that Paul Molitor is injured, and will not be able to play for four games — The Tigers knew they were pushing it, as he’s been playing pretty tired, his .324 batting average sure doesn’t reflect it. Tigers will send Dave LaPoint (5-6, 3.71) to the mound against Andy Hawkins (4-11, 5.40).
Top of the 1st
Lead-off single to speedy Vince Coleman to start the game. Brett Butler smacks one to Tom O’Malley, O’Malley sets and fires it past Pete O’Brien, runners on first & second, and a E-5 on O’Malley in for the injured Molitor. George Bell pops up in the infield, for the first out to Ramirez. Julio Franco swings & misses, strike three, two down. Terry Francona pops up behind the plate, as Boone catches it next to the screen — LaPoint & the Tigers get out this one unscathed!
Top of the 2nd
O’Malley picks up his second error by throwing this one in the dirt & pulling first baseman Pete O’Brien off the bag for slow runner Jim Presley to make it safe at first on the error. Jose Uribe pops it behind the plate for the first out. Bruce Benedict hits a grounder to Ramirez, Ramirez to Ray for one, over to second, Benedict beats out the throw, a FC as they get the lead runner, two away. Tracy Jones hits a long fly out to Barfield in center. No runs, on what is becoming an interesting & scary fielding display by the Tigers, two errors early that have yet to cost them.
Top of the 4th
Two-out RBI single to right by Jose Uribe, as Julio Franco scores from second. Bruce Benedict hits a single to the left-center gap, Raines cuts it off on the bounce, Uribe holds second. 1st & 2nd for Tracy Jones, the pitch, as he pops it into foul territory behind first, 2B-Johnny Ray is over & catches for the final out… but not before the Detroit Stars strike first, 1-0.
Top of the 5th
Lead-off single by Vince Coleman, his second hit of the game. Julio Franco, hits a two-out single, and moves Coleman to second. Terry Francona hits a single to right, the runners were off with the pitch, Joe Carter throws it to home, and Coleman slides around the tag & is safe! Boone throws it to third — SAFE! Runners on the corners, with two outs. Jim Presley hits a routine grounder to Ray, as Ray tosses it to Ramirez for the force. Detroit 2, Traverse City 0
Bottom of the 5th
Tigers trying to find answers to Andy Hawkins, who only has allowed 3 hits to this point, have Johnny Ray on first (on a free pass) with Dave Winfield up with two outs. Ray is off with the pitch, as Winfield fails to make contact, a strike — the throw to second, and he’s safe! Ray’s first steal of the season. Winfield ends up grounding out though, as the Stars still lead 2-0.
Bottom of the 6th
The Tigers may not be getting hits, but they are getting on base & not being able to take a advantage after a 5th walk allowed by Andy Hawkins. Traverse City scoreless through six.
Bottom of the 7th
A lead-off triple by Rafael Ramirez off Hawkins, let’s see if T.C. can capitalize on this one. Tim Raines hits one deep to the shortstop Jose Uribe, Uribe turns down the throw to the plate and goes to first for the easier out, one away, but the Tigers are finally on the board as Ramirez scores. Johnny Ray gives this one a ride to center, but Coleman is there to chase it down, two away. The lefty Pete O’Brien laces a tweener into the right-center gap, as O’Brien will make second. The Stars will go to the pen, for Andy McGaffigan, who is 1-0, with a 2.67 ERA in 26 appearances for Detroit, he’s looking for one out, as he faces Dave Winfield. McGaffigan sets up & fires, he’s off the mark, and walks Winfield. The Stars’ skipper is out again, and he will go with the stellar Bobby Thigpen (1.45 ERA, 2 SVs). The Tigers decide to bring in pinch-runner for O’Brien, O’Brien leaves the game with three hits, as Felix Fermin will run for him. Th igpen does his job & gets Jor Carter to end the inning on a routine fly to right. Detroit 2, Traverse City 1
Top of the 8th
The Tigers have Nick Esasky at first, and call for a change at the mound, taking out Dave LaPoint, who pitched a fine 7-inning performance of 2 runs allowed. They call on Eric King for his 3rd appearance this series in relief, entering with a 3.83 ERA. King goes on to pitch a scoreless 1-2-3 inning to keep the Tigers’ hopes alive.
Bottom of the 8th
Tigers pinch-hit lefty Ron Hassey to face righty Bobby Thigpen in a attempt to stir up a little magic, he’ll come in for Bob Boone. Hassey ends up flying out to left-center, one down. Nothing more happens, as a easy 1-2-3 inning for Thigpen.
Top of the 9th
Ron Hassey stays in at backstop for T.C., as southpaw Juan Agosto takes over for King on the mound. Agosto cruises through a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom of the 9th
Rafael Ramirez leads off with a routine ground out to first. Tim Raines lays off a off-speed pitch and draws a walk. Johnny Ray steps up to the plate, Raines is off-and-running & Ray doesn’t make contact, and Raines is caught in a rundown, as he is tagged out trying to retreat to first — it appears that Ray either missed a sign or just didn’t like the pitch he liked, but it looked like a hit-and-run was in effect, two away! Ray still up at the plate, waits for the pitch, hits one that’s hugging the line at third, Presley lets it roll foul, but the ball refuses to nudge over the line — Ray is safe at first, Tigers are still alive, as this one will look like a line-drive in tomorrow morning’s box score. It’s all up to Nick Esasky, who hits a routine grounder to Franco, Franco over to second for the easy force out, and that’s the game folks!
Big save for Bobby Thigpen, and big win for Andy Hawkin, who despite the walks, pitched one of his best outings of the season when it counted.
FINAL SCORE: Detroit 2, Traverse City 1 |
| Game #5: |
The series is tied 2-2, and the Tigers send their best to the mound in Greg Maddux (10-6, 3.12 ERA) against the Stars’ Jose DeLeon (6-10, 3.87 ERA).
Top of the 1st
Brett Butler hits a deep fly to center that tails away from Jesse Barfield and drops in for a hit, Butler is on with a lead-off double. Lou Whitaker follows up with a RBI double. John Kruk hits a high hop grounder to deep third, O’Malley juggles it, the long throw to first, out! While Whitaker advances to third. Dave Parker taps it back to the mound, Maddux looks Whitaker over, over to first for the second out. Maddux walks Julio Franco. Runners on the corners for Jose Uribe, the pitch, breaking ball, called strike three. Detroit draws first blood, 1-0.
Bottom of the 2nd
Dave Winfield leads off with a single to the gap in left. With two outs, Ron Hassey hits a ball to deep third, Presley throws the ball past first baseman Kruk, as Winfield advances to third & Hassey moves over to second, E-5. Tom O’Malley hits a dying quail to right, drops in front of Butler, Winfield scores easily, as the Tigers hold Hassey at third. Ramirez hits into the inning-ending force, Tigers end up tying it up though, 1-1.
Bottom of the 3rd
Seeing-eye single to center between Uribe & Franco for Mookie Wilson to lead off the inning. Uribe takes a grounder off the chest by Ray, over to first out, as Wilson stands in at second. Pete O’Brien hits one to left that drops right in front of Parker, Wilson is around third, the throw to the plate, and he scores just under the tag — Wilson just kept on running. Winfield hits one into the gap between Parker & Coleman, O’Brien could have a chance, but they’ll be a bit conservative here, as Winfield trucks into second. Runners on 2nd & 3rd, with one out for Joe Carter, the pitch — Carter chops this one down the first base line, Kruk is up with it, the under-hand throw to DeLeon & Carter is out, but O’Brien scores, Winfield moves up to third. Barfield grounds out to short for final out. Traverse City 3, Detroit 1
Bottom of the 4th
Ron Hassey leads off with a single to right, his second safety of the game. Tom O’Malley hits into a fielder’s choice, as the Stars get the lead runner in Hassey at second for the out. Rafael Ramirez sends a deep fly to center, and Coleman chases it to the track, catches the ball & slams into the wall, and he’s down. O’Malley will tag up and move to second, the ump calls time, and the Stars will take Vince Coleman out for precautionary measure — Tracy Jones replaces Coleman at center. Two outs with a runner on second for Mookie Wilson, Wilson hits a room service bounce to Presley at third, the throw to first, side retired. Score remains — Traverse City 3, Detroit 1
Report from the Detroit clubhouse, Vince Coleman will miss the next game of the series.
Bottom of the 5th
Lead-off single by Johnny Ray. DeLeon would retire the next two batters in O’Brien & Winfield (Winfield struck out). Joe Carter steps up, and shoots this one into the right field corner, Ray is chugging along, he’ll score, Carter is stretching this one for a triple, the relay to third, and he’s safe! Carter who has been struggling took it to another righty in DeLeon with two outs. Jesse Barfield scoots this one past Presley, Carter scores, and DeLeon will be heading to the showers early as the Detroit skipper comes walking out to the mound. Who’s it going to be? The young 22 year-old prospect Jack McDowell, he comes in with a 4.78 ERA in 58.1 innings this season, he will try to do his best to keep the Stars in this game. Hassey grounds out to short for the final out. Traverse City 5, Detroit 1 — The Tigers already have 10 hits in this one.
Top of the 6th
With Maddux on the mound, the last thing you want to do is give him a comfortable lead. Dave Parker drills one to right, that is robbed at the wall by Joe Carter for the second out. Julio Franco, the very next batter puts a charge into this one to the left field wall, Mookie times his jump, and comes back down it! Back-to-back terrific plays, it’s not looking like Detroit’s day.
Top of the 8th
Lead-off single for Tracy Jones of Detroit — only the 4th hit by the Stars off Maddux. Brett Butler hits a single to left that drops in front of Mookie Wilson. Tigers will get the bullpen warming up just in case. Tigers try to stall momentarily, elects to have Maddux face lefty Lou Whitaker. The Stars’ manager now calls Whitaker to the bench, and Terry Francona will hit for him instead. The Tigers now call for a change with lefty Juan Agosto (2.36 ERA in 38 appearances) — Agosto sets up with the pitch, delivers, this one is smacked to left lands in front of Wilson, Jones is around third, he’s going towards home & scores — Butler moves to third. Runners on the corners, no outs, tying run at the plate in John Kruk. Stars go to the bench & call on righty George Bell, in which Traverse City counters with RHP Brian Holton, and upgrades second base defensively with Marty Barrett. Bell smacks this one deep to right, this could be trouble, Carter now has a read o n it, and makes the catch, Tracy Jones decides not to test Carter’s cannon of a arm, he has seen too much footage of Carter gunning people down at home. One out, Parker is now at the plate, and Tigers call on lefty Dave Leiper to try & get Parker to hit into a double play, or at least strike him out. Parker grounds out to O’Brien at first, he’s out, but a run scores, as Francona moves to second. Tigers go to the pen once again for Jose Rijo to face righty Julio Franco. Rijo gets him to ground out to third for final out.
Traverse City holds a 5-3 edge.
Bottom of the 8th
Stars elect to go to the bullpen with Andy McGaffigan on the mound. Jesse Barfield legs out a one-out single, and then advances to second on a wild pitch by McGaffigan. McGaffigan walks Ron Hassey. O’Malley hits it to left, and Barfield rounds third and scores. Runners on 1st & 2nd, for Ramirez with one out; Ramirez will have to face righty Bobby Thigpen though — which ends up being a routine fly out to center. Thigpen strikes out Mookie, but Traverse City tacks on another, 6-3 lead.
Top of the 9th
It’s time for the Tigers’ closer Doug Jones to do his thing against Detroit. With one out, Jim Presley hits a solo shot over Mookie’s head, trimming Tigers’ lead down to 6-4. Jones strikes out the next batter in Cerone, it’s now up to Tracy Jones. Tracy Jones waits on Doug’s pitch, hit to shallow center, Barfield is there for the final out.
Greg Maddux cruised through 7 innings, as Traverse City closed it out with 5 different relievers over a two-inning span, all doing their part.
FINAL SCORE: Traverse City 6, Detroit 4 |
| Game #6: |
The Tigers excited about their last win, want to shoot to take these last two games — this series has been something of a Tug of War.
Bob Knepper walks in with a 9-4 record & 2.80 ERA, while he faces off against Melido Perez. Perez is hoping for a better outcome this time, he’s 8-6, 2.95 ERA.
Top of the 2nd
Julio leads off with a single to right. Terry Francona hits one hard to O’Malley, O’Malley only has one option & that’s to first for the out, Franco to second. Jose Uribe draws a walk, and that sets up the double play. Bob Knepper comes to the plate, and that gets by Hassey, a wild pitch by Knepper as both runners move up a base. Bruce Benedict pops up to Johnny Ray at second for the 2nd out. Jim Presley grounds out to short.
Top of the 3rd
Brett Butler leads off with a single up the middle that gets by Johnny Ray. Tracy Jones hits one up the middle, Fermin gets to it flips to Ray for the force not in time, and Jones is safe at first, no outs. Knepper rocks & fires, and George Bell lays into this one, it’s over the left field fence, Knepper would like to have that pitch back! Dave Parker puts a charge into this one, it’s over Barfield’s head in center, and is off the bottom of the wall, this is good for extra bases, Parker rounds second, but the third base coach flashes the stop sign. Knepper issues his 3rd walk already, this one to Franco. Runners on 1st & 2nd, still no outs, and the batter will be Terry Francona. Francona smacks this one to center, Barfield is charging in & it’s off his chest, he keeps the ball in front of him, Parker to home, the throw and Parker is safe, as Franco makes it to third base. This is not going well for Knepper, bullpen is already warming up. Jose U ribe hits a deep sac fly to left, to score in Franco, the first out is finally logged — two more to go. Bruce Benedict hits a single into the left-center gap, runners on 1st & 2nd. Jim Presley hits this one hard to short, this could be trouble, Fermin is able to knock it down, but everyone is safe, bases loaded & only one out. The lineup has made itself around as Brett Butler is back up, he led this inning off with a single. Butler hits a deep fly, it bounces off Carter’s glove, oh & Barfield catches it tosses it underhand as he falls to the ground, Carter is up with the throw, but Francona scores on the sac fly — two away. Knepper looking to end this nightmare against Tracy Jones at the plate. Jones flies out to left, end of the inning, but not before the Stars light up the scoreboard. Looks like the Tigers fans are heading for the beer stands early in this one. Detroit 6, Traverse City 0.
Top of the 4th
Jose Rijo will get the nod in relief for Knepper, who allowed 6 runs & 8 hits, 3 walks — Rijo will try to do his best, but the Tigers bats need to contribute as well, they have only one hit up to this point. George Bell leads off with a single past Felix Fermin at short, Bell’s second hit of the game. Parker hits a grounder to short, Fermin over to second for one, but Ray is taken out by the runner, they will only get the force at second. Julio Franco lifts a single to right, Parker is around second & decides to test Carter’s arm, and he’s out! What was he smoking? Franco advances to second on the throw — 10 hits for the Stars already!Two outs, a man on second, as Francona comes up to the plate, and grounds out to short.
Top of the 5th
Back-to-back singles for Jose Uribe & Bruce Benedict of the Stars. Passed Ball on Ron Hassey, as the runners move up. Rijo sets to pitch to Jim Presley again, the pitch, it’s hit towards the gap, Carter’s after it, and it’s caught in his webbing — the runners tag up, but they decide to hold. Brett Butler hits a line-drive at Felix Fermin, two outs. Tracy Jones flies out to Carter in right, to end the possible threat. Detroit still leads 6-0 in this one.
Bottom of the 5th
Ron Hassey hits a single in the gap in left, that’s only the second hit by T.C.; O’Malley follows up by almost hitting into a double play, he just beats out the toss to first. Barfield strikes out & Fermin flies to center — The Tigers’ offense is flat right now.
Bottom of the 6th
With 2 outs, Melido Perez walks off the mound, the trainers are out, he does a practice throw, and there is not much steam to it — The Stars quickly yank him, and will have go with a reliever. The Stars go with Craig Lefferts, in which the Tigers counter with Nick Esasky. Time for the Tigers to start sending in their subs soon. Esasky strikes out. Detroit 6, Traverse City 0
Top of the 7th
Tigers send Johnny Ray out to right field to play for Joe Carter, as Marty Barrett will play at second. Nick Esasky who came in for Pete O’Brien, will stay at first base. The Tigers also bring in Juan Agosto, after three innings of relief by Jose Rijo. Smooth sailing for Agosto, 1-2-3 in the 7th, as the Tiger fans are starting to head for the exits.
The Tigers could not do anything more, as Craig Lefferts & Rob Dibble kept the Tigers scoreless in 3.1 innings of relief. George Bell was the star in this one, 3-for-5, three-run HR.
FINAL SCORE: Detroit 6, Traverse City 0
Not good news: Melido Perez reported to be injured for 9 days. |
| Game #7: |
This one is for the series, it’s between Charlie Hough (7-12, 3.46 ERA) against Danny Jackson, who pitched a shutout in Game 2 against the Tigers, lowering his ERA to 1.96, while improving his record to 11-4.
Top of the 2nd
Jose Uribe draws a lead-off walk. Jim Presley hits one that ricochets off Hough’s leg, he’ll make it safely to first. Runners on 1st & 2nd, no outs, Hough fires it past Boone to the backstop, as the runners will advance one base on the wild pitch; Cerone settles again in the batter’s box. Hough to the plate, healthy cut by Cerone, and his strikes out. Vince Coleman goes fishing for the ball in the dirt, strike three — two away. Hough just needs to get past Brett Butler to avoid a score in this inning — the pitch, Butler grounds it to Barrett, Barrett is up with it & flips it to first, side retired.
Bottom of the 2nd
Joe Carter hits a little looper just out of second baseman Franco’s reach for a lead-off single. Mookie Wilson follows up Carter’s hit, with a liner just over Uribe’s glove at short, Parker is up for it, Carter takes a few steps toward third, but he’ll hold up. Danny Jackson sets up to pitch, outside corner, ball four to Pete O’Brien, and the bases are loaded with no outs! Marty Barrett to the plate, the pitch, he hits it right to Presley at third, Presley tags third for the force, a run scores though. One out, runners on 1st & 2nd for Ramirez, Jackson to the plate,easy bouncer to Franco, could be two, over to second for one, over to first, double play. Traverse City only manages one run, we’ll see if that comes back to haunt them.
Bottom of the 3rd
One-out triple by Tim Raines, hit into the right field corner — it’s his 2nd hit of the game & his 5th triple of the season. Bob Boone pops up behind third, for the second out. Winfield hits a routine grounder to short, as Uribe fires to first, side retired.
Top of the 4th
Jim Presley gets a hold of a fastball and sends this one to center, buh-bye! Two-run homer, as Detroit has taken the lead, 2-1.
Top of the 5th
Brett Butler leads off the inning with a lead-off triple. Whitaker finds his pitch, and sends this one over the centerfield wall, 4-1 Stars’ lead.
Top of the 6th
Lead-off single for Jim Presley, 3rd hit of the game for Presley. Another wild pitch for Hough, as Presley advances to second. Hough strikes out Rick Cerone for the first out. Vince Coleman pops up for the second out. Brett Butler hits a two-out double, as Presley scores easily. Hough issues his 5th walk to Lou Whitaker, runners now on 1st & 2nd. The Tigers will go to the bullpen for the southpaw Ken Dayley (2.73 ERA in 25 appearances), he will try to keep the Tigers in the game. Kruk pops up behind third for the final out.
Detroit 5, Traverse City 1
Bottom of the 6th
Joe Carter delivers a two-out single to right, for his second hit of the game. Mookie Wilson comes up, the pitch, Carter is off-and-running for second, it’s grounded to Franco, and Franco throws it past John Kruk towards the stands, Kruk is chasing after it, Carter rounds third, Kruk is up with and they now have Carter off third, the throw to third, Carter breaks for home, the throw to the plate now by third baseman Jim Presley, and…. he’s SAFE! Mookie is on second. T.C. only cuts into the lead by one run, 5-2, Detroit leads.
Top of the 8th
After Coleman got on with a two-out single, the Tigers go to the pen to replace Eric King, with southpaw John Candelaria to face lefty Brett Butler, Butler hits it into the right field corner, as Coleman will score all the way from first — RBI double. Detroit 6, Traverse City 2
Bottom of the 8th
The Stars bring in a reliever for Jackson, going with Mike Bielecki (2.39 ERA in 26 innings). One-out single by Dave Winfield. Ron Hassey pinch-hits for Bob Boone, and pops up for out number two. Tigers go to the bench to pinch-hit for Joe Carter this time, and goes with Johnny Ray. The Tigers got Winfield running for second, Ray connects and sends a single to left, Winfield strolls into third, executing the fundamentals, successful hit-and-run. The Detroit Stars’ skipper now will make a pitching change, and elects to have Rob Dibble come in for Bielecki, before the lead slips out of their hands. Mookie Wilson steps up to the plate to face the righty, the pitch from Dibble, Ray is going for second, strike, the throw from Cerone, and Ray is safe! Runners on 2nd & 3rd now. Dibble sets & fires, and Mookie pops it up to Kruk — Tigers come up empty!
Bottom of the 9th
Lead-off double for Pete O’Brien. Marty Barrett steps up to the plate & Dibble fires a wild pitch over his head, O’Brien advances to third. Barrett flies to right, O’Brien tags up, the throw at the plate by Butler, and he’s out by inches! O’Brien is not happy with the ump. A double play, no one on now, and the hope to stay alive is up to Rafael Ramirez. Ramirez grounds it to Franco, and that does it, Detroit wins!
FINAL SCORE: Detroit 6, Traverse City 2 |
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Series Summary *
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Detroit wins the series 4-3. The Tigers hold a sliver of a lead now over Cedar Park by only two games. Detroit will be traveling there for a division showdown.
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