1977 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Detroit vs. Chicago –
Game #1 – In a match up of aces the Demolition send out J.R. Richard, and the Stars go with “Louisiana Lighting” Ron Guidry. This turned into a pitchers duel as soon as it started. Score 2-1 Detroit headed into the bottom of the seventh when Guidry became a little wild and walked two. RBI singles by Willie Stargell and Graig Nettles put Chicago up 3-2. The Chicago bullpen handled it the rest of the way with Sparky Lyle shutting the door in the ninth, as Chicago takes game #1 3-2 over Detroit.
Game #2 – Chicago’s bats coming out in-fuego, and Ed Halicki last only one inning and a few batters. Nine different Demolition batters get hits. Don Gullett & four relievers hold Detroit to one run. John Mayberry & Thurman Munson collided, Mayberry injured for 5 days, and Thurman Munson was out for the remainder of that game. Final score Chicago 8 – Detroit 1
Game #3 – Back in Detroit it was another story. Marty Pattin starts and gets pulled early, but a host of Detroit relievers put a hurting on the Chicago bats. Bruce Sutter throws the final two – scoreless. Jerry Remy knocks in two, Dave Parker has two hits, and scores two. Tommy John pitches well for the Demolition, but the Stars prevail 4 to 2.
Game #4 – Ed Halicki rebounds from game two, and throws six innings, giving up three hits & only one run. Dave Parkers two run shot is all the Stars need to beat Chicago 2 to 1. Bruce Sutter notches his second save in two games. Vida Blue pitched well for the Demolition, but the bats never came alive.
Game #5 – Someone spoke to JoBoo & Chicago’s bats woke up. Did they ever! Chicago put up single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings, and then a five spot in the 3rd, and three more in the 4th. Up ten nothing after 5 innings, Chicago pulls J.R. Richard, just in case he is needed for game seven. Ron Gudiry gets light up and falls to 0-2. Final Score Chicago shuts out Detroit 13-0.
Game #6 – Mike Caldwell gets the start for the Stars, and gave up four runs before the 2nd was over. Detroit chipped back with and took the lead 6-5 in the 7th for good. Jim Kern picks up the win, Bruce Sutter picks up his third save of the series. Final score Detroit 6 – Chicago 5.
Game #7 – WOW GAME SEVEN… What a great series between these two great teams. In a rematch of Game #1 & Game #4, J.R. Richard squares off with Ron Guidry. Once again Guidry gets light up by the Demolition hitters. Two in the 2nd, & three in the 3rd. Jim Kern came in and gave i[ a single run in the 4th. J.R. Richard gave up two runs in 7.1 innings, and Chicago’s bullpen locked it down from there. Thurman Munson drove in 2 RBI’s and Bobby Bonds hit a 2-Run Home Run, as Chicago beats the Stars of Detroit. Final score Chicago 6 – Detroit 2.
Lauderdale vs. Germantown –
Game #1 – Lauderdale gets by the Grays, as Ellis Valentine drives in Richie Zisk with a double in the 10th to put Lauderdale up one game to none. Dennis Lenoard & Jerry Koosman both pitched respectively & went seven strong innings, but the Grays bullpen didn’t fair well as 4 of the 5 runs came off relivers. Final score Lauderdale 6, Germantown 5
Game #2 – Behind Paul Splitorff Germantown easily handles the Breakers. Al Cowens drives in two, and Phil Garner hits a solo shot. Final Score Germantown 5 – Lauderdale 1
Game #3 – Goose eggs until the 6th when Grays Porter leadoff with a single and Cowens followed with an HR. The Grays added another in the 6th on a 2-out Hendricks PH HR and finished it with a couple in the 8th. Grays Bibby went 6.2IP allowing 0R on 3H & 4W w/ 3K. Lockwood and Romo provided 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. Germantown 5 – Lauderdale 0
Game #4 – Grays score one in the 2nd. Johnstone singled, Cooper singled and Yount produced a 6-4 FC. And that would be it as Koosman (6IP 0R 4H 3W 10K) locked horns with G Perry (6IP 1R 3H 0W 6K) in a classic pitchers dual. Breakers Atkinson pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief. Grays Lockwood and Romo pitched 3 innings of scoreless relief. Germantown 1 Lauderdale 0
Game #5 – Grays score one in the 3rd on a leadoff HR by leadoff hitter Garner. That’s how it would remain until the 7th. Breakers break the ice as Luzinski triples, Ferguson drew a walk and Cey stroked a 2-out 2-run double, 2-1. Bottom of the 9th, sub Otis strokes a leadoff double, Yount moves him with a SAC and PH Cox lifts an SF8. Tie game. In the 11th Grays Otis singles and steals second with 0-outs, Yount moves him over with a SAC and Perlozzo P4 and Lockwood (out of PH) G4. But then in the 12th, Garner leadoff with a triple and with the infield in Porter grounded one past Harrah and Garner trotted home. Germantown 3 Lauderdale 2 12 innings