Detroit (Sun., Sept. 21, 1975) - Vern Ruhle had the Boston Red Sox shutout through eight innings on four hits, but his lead was only 1-0. It would prove to not be enough.
Ruhle (8-15) struggled in the ninth, and the Red Sox scored twice to beat the Tigers, 2-1 at Tiger Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the home finale for the Bengals.
The Red Sox came back to win the final two games of the series after dropping Friday's opener.
With one out in the ninth and the bases empty, Fred Lynn singled for Boston. Jim Rice reached on Gary Sutherland's error, and Carlton Fisk followed with a single, scoring Lynn from second with the tying run.
That ended Ruhle's day, but rookie reliever Ed Glynn, a lefty, walked left-handed hitting Bernie Carbo to load the bases with one out. Rico Petrocelli was up next and he lined a single to left to score Rice with the go-ahead run.
Rick Burleson then hit into a 4-6-3 double play, but the damage was done.
Jim Willoughby survived a lead-off single in the ninth by Dan Meyer, thanks largely to Tom Veryzer's errant bunt, which was caught in the air by Fisk, who rifled a throw to Carl Yastrzemski at first base to double off Meyer.
Pinch-hitter Gates Brown, in perhaps his last at-bat at Tiger Stadium in his career, flied out to left for the final out. Brown has hinted strongly at retirement after this season, and the Tigers (60-95) finished their home schedule with a 31-49 record.
Detroit scored its run in the sixth when second baseman Denny Doyle bobbled Aurelio Rodriguez's potential double-play ground ball, scoring Willie Horton from third base.
The Major Said: "We've wasted a lot of good pitching this year, and today was an example. Felt horrible for Vern, but he was obviously losing gas out there. Had to get him out of there. Tommy's (Veryzer) bunt was unfortunate."
Boston 000 000 002 2-7-1
Tigers 000 001 000 1-6-1
WP: Willoughby
LP: Ruhle (8-15)
Tigers record: 60-95 (actual 57-98)
Home: 31-49
Away: 29-46
Last 10: 4-6
Showing posts with label Gates Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gates Brown. Show all posts
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Game 148: Brown's First '75 Hit Upends Orioles, 5-3
Detroit (Sat., Sept. 13, 1975) - Gates Brown's first base hit of the season---a single to right field---drove in two runs in the eighth inning, lifting the Tigers to a 5-3 win over Baltimore Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers trailed 3-1 heading into the eighth. A single and two walks quickly loaded the bases with no outs. Ben Oglivie drove home one run with a sacrifice fly, and Tom Veryzer tied the game with a single with two outs. Leon Roberts walked, re-loading the bases. Brown was sent in to pinch-hit for Terry Humphrey, and Gates drove a bounding ball past first baseman Lee May for a two-run single.
It was Brown's first hit in 10 at-bats in a season marred by a bad back. It may be Brown's last hit; the 36-year-old pinch-hitting specialist has hinted at retirement after the season.
Brown's hit made a winner out of Mickey Lolich (14-15), who pitched his 12th complete game. Lolich gave up 10 hits, walked four and struck out seven. He lowered his ERA to 3.24. The O's tried to rally in the ninth, putting runners on first and second, but Lolich struck out Tommy Davis to end the game.
It was a game of veteran heroes; Lolich turned 35 on Friday, and 38-year-old Brooks Robinson had two hits and drove in all three Orioles runs.
The Tigers (57-91) snapped a four-game losing streak.
The Major Said: "If Gates does call it quits, I am proud to have managed him for two years. He's a pro's pro. He could have hung them up this year with his bad back, but he wouldn't think of doing that in the middle of the season."
Baltimore 010 002 000 3-10-1
Tigers 000 001 04x 5-11-0
WP: Lolich (14-15)
LP: Alexander
Tigers record: 57-91 (actual 55-93)
Home: 28-45
Away: 29-46
Last 10: 3-7
The Tigers trailed 3-1 heading into the eighth. A single and two walks quickly loaded the bases with no outs. Ben Oglivie drove home one run with a sacrifice fly, and Tom Veryzer tied the game with a single with two outs. Leon Roberts walked, re-loading the bases. Brown was sent in to pinch-hit for Terry Humphrey, and Gates drove a bounding ball past first baseman Lee May for a two-run single.
It was Brown's first hit in 10 at-bats in a season marred by a bad back. It may be Brown's last hit; the 36-year-old pinch-hitting specialist has hinted at retirement after the season.
Brown's hit made a winner out of Mickey Lolich (14-15), who pitched his 12th complete game. Lolich gave up 10 hits, walked four and struck out seven. He lowered his ERA to 3.24. The O's tried to rally in the ninth, putting runners on first and second, but Lolich struck out Tommy Davis to end the game.
It was a game of veteran heroes; Lolich turned 35 on Friday, and 38-year-old Brooks Robinson had two hits and drove in all three Orioles runs.
The Tigers (57-91) snapped a four-game losing streak.
The Major Said: "If Gates does call it quits, I am proud to have managed him for two years. He's a pro's pro. He could have hung them up this year with his bad back, but he wouldn't think of doing that in the middle of the season."
Baltimore 010 002 000 3-10-1
Tigers 000 001 04x 5-11-0
WP: Lolich (14-15)
LP: Alexander
Tigers record: 57-91 (actual 55-93)
Home: 28-45
Away: 29-46
Last 10: 3-7
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Game 129: Tigers Get 10 Hits, But Lose, 2-1
Arlington, TX (Mon., Aug. 25, 1975) - The Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers each scored in just one inning, but the Rangers put up two runs, the Tigers one, and Texas won, 2-1, at Arlington Stadium Monday night.
The Rangers scored twice in the first inning on three singles and a force out, while the Tigers pushed across a run in the eighth when hot-hitting Dan Meyer doubled, plating Gary Sutherland.
In between, Tigers starter Ray Bare (4-8) and Texas lefty Jim Umbarger dueled. Umbarger was relieved by Steve Foucault, who picked up the save after taking over following Meyer's hit.
The Tigers (51-78) got a lead-off single from Aurelio Rodriguez in the ninth, but he was erased when Leon Roberts bounced into a double play. Undaunted, Ben Oglivie stroked a single before Foucault got pinch-hitter Gates Brown to ground into a 6-4 force out, ending the game.
The loss ended Detroit's modest three-game winning streak.
Meyer had two doubles, making him 7-for-16 in his last four games.
After the game, the Tigers placed right-handed reliever Bob Reynolds, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning, on waivers and recalled rookie righty Ike Brookens from Toledo. Reynolds, 28, struggled since being acquired from Baltimore in late-May, posting a 5.94 ERA in 36.1 innings and giving up six home runs.
Brookens, 26, will be making his second tour of duty with the Tigers this season. He has pitched 12 innings for Detroit in 1975, yielding just one earned run.
The Major Said: "You get 10 hits, you should score more than one run. That's all I have to say, really. Ray (Bare) pitched his butt off. Umbarger was just a little better, I suppose."
Tigers 000 000 010 1-10-1
Texas 200 000 00x 2-9-0
WP: Umbarger
SV: Foucault
LP: Bare (4-8)
Tigers record: 51-78 (actual 51-78)
Home: 24-41
Away: 27-37
Last 10: 3-7
The Rangers scored twice in the first inning on three singles and a force out, while the Tigers pushed across a run in the eighth when hot-hitting Dan Meyer doubled, plating Gary Sutherland.
In between, Tigers starter Ray Bare (4-8) and Texas lefty Jim Umbarger dueled. Umbarger was relieved by Steve Foucault, who picked up the save after taking over following Meyer's hit.
The Tigers (51-78) got a lead-off single from Aurelio Rodriguez in the ninth, but he was erased when Leon Roberts bounced into a double play. Undaunted, Ben Oglivie stroked a single before Foucault got pinch-hitter Gates Brown to ground into a 6-4 force out, ending the game.
The loss ended Detroit's modest three-game winning streak.
Meyer had two doubles, making him 7-for-16 in his last four games.
After the game, the Tigers placed right-handed reliever Bob Reynolds, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning, on waivers and recalled rookie righty Ike Brookens from Toledo. Reynolds, 28, struggled since being acquired from Baltimore in late-May, posting a 5.94 ERA in 36.1 innings and giving up six home runs.
Brookens, 26, will be making his second tour of duty with the Tigers this season. He has pitched 12 innings for Detroit in 1975, yielding just one earned run.
The Major Said: "You get 10 hits, you should score more than one run. That's all I have to say, really. Ray (Bare) pitched his butt off. Umbarger was just a little better, I suppose."
Tigers 000 000 010 1-10-1
Texas 200 000 00x 2-9-0
WP: Umbarger
SV: Foucault
LP: Bare (4-8)
Tigers record: 51-78 (actual 51-78)
Home: 24-41
Away: 27-37
Last 10: 3-7
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Game 121: Tigers' 9th-Inning Rally Falls Short, 6-5
Anaheim, CA (Sat., Aug. 16, 1975) - Bill Freehan hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded, snuffing out a potential go-ahead rally as the Tigers lost to the California Angels, 6-5 at Anaheim Stadium Saturday night.
The Tigers trailed 6-2 heading into the ninth, then kicked up their heels off reliever Dick Lange.
A double, a single and a hit batsman loaded the bases with no outs. Ron LeFlore walked to force in a run, driving Lange out of the game in favor of Don Kirkwood. Gary Sutherland then lofted a sacrifice fly to left field. Dan Meyer singled, re-loading the bases, and Willie Horton singled, scoring Gates Brown to make the score 6-5 as the crowd grew restless.
But then Freehan bounced into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat and the game.
The Angels scored a pair of runs in the second, third and seventh innings to build their 6-2 lead.
Bruce Bochte had three hits and three RBI for California, who have won the first two games of the weekend series. The Tigers (48-73) have lost six straight games.
Tigers starter Ray Bare (4-6) was roughed up for 12 hits and five runs in six-plus innings.
Detroit scored twice in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead, but that was short-lived as the Angels answered with two runs in their half of the inning.
The Major Said: "The irony is that Bill (Freehan) has been one of our best hitters in recent weeks. When you saw him up there in that situation, it was hard not to think that maybe tonight was our night."
Tigers 020 000 003 5-12-1
Calif. 022 000 20x 6-13-0
WP: Hockenberry
SV: Kirkwood
LP: Bare (4-6)
Tigers record: 48-73 (actual 47-74)
Home: 24-41
Away: 24-32
Last 10: 1-9
The Tigers trailed 6-2 heading into the ninth, then kicked up their heels off reliever Dick Lange.
A double, a single and a hit batsman loaded the bases with no outs. Ron LeFlore walked to force in a run, driving Lange out of the game in favor of Don Kirkwood. Gary Sutherland then lofted a sacrifice fly to left field. Dan Meyer singled, re-loading the bases, and Willie Horton singled, scoring Gates Brown to make the score 6-5 as the crowd grew restless.
But then Freehan bounced into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat and the game.
The Angels scored a pair of runs in the second, third and seventh innings to build their 6-2 lead.
Bruce Bochte had three hits and three RBI for California, who have won the first two games of the weekend series. The Tigers (48-73) have lost six straight games.
Tigers starter Ray Bare (4-6) was roughed up for 12 hits and five runs in six-plus innings.
Detroit scored twice in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead, but that was short-lived as the Angels answered with two runs in their half of the inning.
The Major Said: "The irony is that Bill (Freehan) has been one of our best hitters in recent weeks. When you saw him up there in that situation, it was hard not to think that maybe tonight was our night."
Tigers 020 000 003 5-12-1
Calif. 022 000 20x 6-13-0
WP: Hockenberry
SV: Kirkwood
LP: Bare (4-6)
Tigers record: 48-73 (actual 47-74)
Home: 24-41
Away: 24-32
Last 10: 1-9
Monday, August 6, 2012
Game 108: Tigers Score Late, Avoid 5-Game Sweep, 4-3
Boston (Sun., Aug. 3, 1975) - John Wockenfuss blooped a single into short right field, scoring Aurelio Rodriguez in the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie, and the Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox, 4-3, at Fenway Park Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the Tigers (44-64) avoided a rare five-game sweep at the hands of Boston.
The Red Sox led, 3-2, after seven innings but the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the eighth. Again it was Wockenfuss with the big hit---a run-scoring double.
Boston scored twice in the first inning on a home run by Carl Yastrzemski that scored Bernie Carbo in front of him. That blast erased an early 1-0 Tigers lead, which was forged by Ron LeFlore's leadoff home run.
Tom Walker (2-2) earned the victory with three scoreless innings of relief. Fernando Arroyo pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.
Jack Pierce singled in the fifth to snap a hitless streak of 32 at-bats.
Reliever Dick Drago took the loss for Boston. He took over after Leon Roberts led off the eighth with a double off starter Reggie Cleveland. Drago then promptly surrendered Wockenfuss's double to tie the game, then was again victimized by the Tigers catcher in the ninth after giving up a double to Rodriguez and intentionally walking pinch-hitter Gates Brown.
The Major Said: "No one wants to be swept five games. This was a gutsy win. Very proud of the fellas."
Tigers 100 010 011 4-7-0
Boston 200 010 000 3-8-0
HR: LeFlore (DET, 6); Yastrzemski (BOS)
WP: Walker (2-2)
SV: Arroyo (3)
LP: Drago
Tigers record: 44-64 (actual 46-62)
Home: 22-34
Away: 22-30
Last 10: 4-6
With the win, the Tigers (44-64) avoided a rare five-game sweep at the hands of Boston.
The Red Sox led, 3-2, after seven innings but the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the eighth. Again it was Wockenfuss with the big hit---a run-scoring double.
Boston scored twice in the first inning on a home run by Carl Yastrzemski that scored Bernie Carbo in front of him. That blast erased an early 1-0 Tigers lead, which was forged by Ron LeFlore's leadoff home run.
Tom Walker (2-2) earned the victory with three scoreless innings of relief. Fernando Arroyo pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.
Jack Pierce singled in the fifth to snap a hitless streak of 32 at-bats.
Reliever Dick Drago took the loss for Boston. He took over after Leon Roberts led off the eighth with a double off starter Reggie Cleveland. Drago then promptly surrendered Wockenfuss's double to tie the game, then was again victimized by the Tigers catcher in the ninth after giving up a double to Rodriguez and intentionally walking pinch-hitter Gates Brown.
The Major Said: "No one wants to be swept five games. This was a gutsy win. Very proud of the fellas."
Tigers 100 010 011 4-7-0
Boston 200 010 000 3-8-0
HR: LeFlore (DET, 6); Yastrzemski (BOS)
WP: Walker (2-2)
SV: Arroyo (3)
LP: Drago
Tigers record: 44-64 (actual 46-62)
Home: 22-34
Away: 22-30
Last 10: 4-6
Monday, July 9, 2012
Games 78 & 79: Brewers Take Twinbill With Blowout and 1-Run Affair
Detroit (July 6) - The Milwaukee Brewers surrendered just four runs in two games and swept a doubleheader from the Tigers Sunday afternoon in Detroit, taking three of four games in the weekend series.
The Brewers routed the Tigers, 13-2 in Game 1, then held on to win 3-2 in the nightcap.
Milwaukee banged out 19 hits in the first game---at least one in every inning. Robin Yount had three doubles and four RBI. He scored three times. Tigers pitchers walked eight Milwaukee hitters.
Tigers starter Mickey Lolich (6-10) became the third Detroit pitcher to register double digits in losses this season (Joe Coleman 12; Lerrin LaGrow 11). Lolich lasted just 3.2 innings, surrendering 10 hits and seven earned runs.
In Game 2, Milwaukee fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but scored twice in the fifth inning on a 2-run double by George Scott. They added an insurance run in the seventh and survived a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth with the score 3-2. The game ended with Ron LeFlore's line drive being caught by shortstop Kurt Bevacqua, who threw to second baseman Bob Sheldon to double off Gates Brown.
Brewers starters Tom Hausman and Pete Broberg (Games 1 and 2, respectively) combined to throw 13 innings and allow just three runs between them.
The Major Said: "That first game was as ugly as it gets. We had a shot in the second game, but Ronnie hits into that double play. That's pretty much how our season has gone, right there."
Game 1
Milwaukee 210 401 500 13-19-1
Tigers 100 000 100 2-11-2
HR: Scott (MIL); Bevacqua (MIL)
WP: Hausman
LP: Lolich (6-10)
Game 2
Milwaukee 000 020 100 3-9-0
Tigers 100 000 010 2-8-0
WP: Broberg
SV: Murphy
LP: LaGrow (3-11)
Tigers record: 31-48 (actual 33-46)
Home: 14-28
Away: 17-20
Last 10: 3-7
The Brewers routed the Tigers, 13-2 in Game 1, then held on to win 3-2 in the nightcap.
Milwaukee banged out 19 hits in the first game---at least one in every inning. Robin Yount had three doubles and four RBI. He scored three times. Tigers pitchers walked eight Milwaukee hitters.
Tigers starter Mickey Lolich (6-10) became the third Detroit pitcher to register double digits in losses this season (Joe Coleman 12; Lerrin LaGrow 11). Lolich lasted just 3.2 innings, surrendering 10 hits and seven earned runs.
In Game 2, Milwaukee fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but scored twice in the fifth inning on a 2-run double by George Scott. They added an insurance run in the seventh and survived a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth with the score 3-2. The game ended with Ron LeFlore's line drive being caught by shortstop Kurt Bevacqua, who threw to second baseman Bob Sheldon to double off Gates Brown.
Brewers starters Tom Hausman and Pete Broberg (Games 1 and 2, respectively) combined to throw 13 innings and allow just three runs between them.
The Major Said: "That first game was as ugly as it gets. We had a shot in the second game, but Ronnie hits into that double play. That's pretty much how our season has gone, right there."
Game 1
Milwaukee 210 401 500 13-19-1
Tigers 100 000 100 2-11-2
HR: Scott (MIL); Bevacqua (MIL)
WP: Hausman
LP: Lolich (6-10)
Game 2
Milwaukee 000 020 100 3-9-0
Tigers 100 000 010 2-8-0
WP: Broberg
SV: Murphy
LP: LaGrow (3-11)
Tigers record: 31-48 (actual 33-46)
Home: 14-28
Away: 17-20
Last 10: 3-7
Monday, June 18, 2012
Game 69: O's Score Late, Hang On, 6-5
Baltimore (June 28) - Joe Coleman has lost a lot of games this season. For nearly seven innings it looked like that might change.
It didn't.
The Baltimore Orioles erupted for four runs in the seventh inning, overcoming a 4-2 deficit, and they held on to beat Coleman and the Tigers, 6-5, at Memorial Stadium tonight.
Coleman (3-11) was in control after six innings, but in the seventh the Orioles kicked up their heels.
Brooks Robinson led off with a double, Dave Duncan singled him to third and one out later, Ken Singleton plated Robinson with a single. Bobby Grich walked, loading the bases. Then Al Bumbry doubled, scoring two more runs. Grich was cut down at the plate after a Ron LeFlore-to-Gene Michael-to-Bill Freehan relay.
Coleman, staggered, was left in the game by manager Ralph Houk.
"I thought he had enough to get one more out," Houk explained.
But Lee May squashed those thoughts with a triple, scoring Bumbry. Coleman was then lifted for rookie Ike Brookens.
"It all happened kind of fast," Coleman said afterward. "But that's what (the Orioles) can do. They can strike quickly."
Coleman's worst-ever season as a Tiger continued; he's 3-11
The Tigers edged to within one run in the eighth when Jack Pierce delivered a two-out single that scored Dan Meyer from second. Meyer led off the inning with a double.
The Tigers threw out another runner, Singleton, at the plate in the eighth, keeping the score 6-5. Again LeFlore started the relay.
The Tigers got a lead off walk from Aurelio Rodriguez in the ninth, but on a hit-and-run with pinch-hitter Gates Brown at the plate, Brown struck out and Rodriguez was cut down stealing. LeFlore grounded out to end the game.
"We tried to make something happen," Houk said of the ill-fated hit-and-run.
The Tigers scored four times in the fourth off O's starter Mike Torrez to take a 4-2 lead. After two walks, Freehan hit a three-run homer, and Pierce followed with a solo shot.
The Orioles scored twice in the first inning on a Bumbry triple and a May sacrifice fly, and it looked like another long night for Coleman. But the right-hander settled down and set down 16 of the next 21 Orioles hitters until the seventh.
The Tigers (28-41) will try to salvage a split of the four-game series on Sunday.
Notes: Freehan and Pierce's consecutive homers was the first time the Tigers pulled off that feat this season...Dan Meyer had a double and a triple...Brown, on the pivotal strike out/caught stealing in the ninth: "I just swung right through the damn ball. It hurts now but tomorrow is another day"...Last year after 69 games, the Tigers were 36-33. They finished 72-90.
********************************************************
Tigers record: 28-41 (actual 27-42)
Home: 13-23
Away: 15-18
Last 10: 4-6
It didn't.
The Baltimore Orioles erupted for four runs in the seventh inning, overcoming a 4-2 deficit, and they held on to beat Coleman and the Tigers, 6-5, at Memorial Stadium tonight.
Coleman (3-11) was in control after six innings, but in the seventh the Orioles kicked up their heels.
Brooks Robinson led off with a double, Dave Duncan singled him to third and one out later, Ken Singleton plated Robinson with a single. Bobby Grich walked, loading the bases. Then Al Bumbry doubled, scoring two more runs. Grich was cut down at the plate after a Ron LeFlore-to-Gene Michael-to-Bill Freehan relay.
Coleman, staggered, was left in the game by manager Ralph Houk.
"I thought he had enough to get one more out," Houk explained.
But Lee May squashed those thoughts with a triple, scoring Bumbry. Coleman was then lifted for rookie Ike Brookens.
"It all happened kind of fast," Coleman said afterward. "But that's what (the Orioles) can do. They can strike quickly."
Coleman's worst-ever season as a Tiger continued; he's 3-11
The Tigers edged to within one run in the eighth when Jack Pierce delivered a two-out single that scored Dan Meyer from second. Meyer led off the inning with a double.
The Tigers threw out another runner, Singleton, at the plate in the eighth, keeping the score 6-5. Again LeFlore started the relay.
The Tigers got a lead off walk from Aurelio Rodriguez in the ninth, but on a hit-and-run with pinch-hitter Gates Brown at the plate, Brown struck out and Rodriguez was cut down stealing. LeFlore grounded out to end the game.
"We tried to make something happen," Houk said of the ill-fated hit-and-run.
The Tigers scored four times in the fourth off O's starter Mike Torrez to take a 4-2 lead. After two walks, Freehan hit a three-run homer, and Pierce followed with a solo shot.
The Orioles scored twice in the first inning on a Bumbry triple and a May sacrifice fly, and it looked like another long night for Coleman. But the right-hander settled down and set down 16 of the next 21 Orioles hitters until the seventh.
The Tigers (28-41) will try to salvage a split of the four-game series on Sunday.
Notes: Freehan and Pierce's consecutive homers was the first time the Tigers pulled off that feat this season...Dan Meyer had a double and a triple...Brown, on the pivotal strike out/caught stealing in the ninth: "I just swung right through the damn ball. It hurts now but tomorrow is another day"...Last year after 69 games, the Tigers were 36-33. They finished 72-90.
********************************************************
Tigers record: 28-41 (actual 27-42)
Home: 13-23
Away: 15-18
Last 10: 4-6
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Game 35: White Sox Start Fast, End Strong, 5-3
Chicago (May 24) - The Chicago White Sox scored single runs in each of the first three innings and kept an arm's length distance ahead of the Tigers, holding on for a 5-3 win today at Comiskey Park.
The Tigers (14-21) have lost four straight, six of seven, and nine of their last 12 games, falling close to the cellar of the AL East.
Tigers starter Joe Coleman was in trouble early and often as the White Sox had more traffic on the base paths than rush hour on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Coleman labored as he fell to 3-5
Coleman was wild, too: six walks thru the first five innings. Two of those walks scored, but more important, the walks forced the right-hander to work harder than normal as Coleman labored through the early innings, when the Chisox built a 3-0 lead using the walks and timely base hits.
The Tigers scored twice in the fourth. Willie Horton doubled, was driven home by Nate Colbert's double, and Aurelio Rodriguez plated Colbert with a single.
But that's as close as Detroit got. The White Sox scored in the fifth for a 4-2 lead (another Coleman walk started the rally), and even though the Tigers got to within 4-3 in the seventh, the White Sox didn't panic. They scored an insurance tally in the eighth.
Tigers manager Ralph Houk almost sounded like he was pleading for calm after the game, in light of his team's recent struggles.
"This is a long grind," Houk said. "The test is how you respond to these bad patches. It's not even Memorial Day yet. There's a lot of baseball to be played."
Still, Houk added, "We're just not swinging the bats. It's the same old thing. We haven't really gotten that going yet."
The Tigers now sit a season high seven games under .500. Houk's right: it's early. The way the Tigers are playing, is that good or bad?
Notes: Gates Brown made his 1975 debut, pinch-hitting for Gene Michael in the ninth. Brown missed the first 34 games with a sprained knee suffered in spring training. He grounded into a 3-6-3 double play and looked to be running gingerly...Reliever John Hiller's ERA rose to 5.59 after giving up a run in one inning of work...Horton's double was just his third of the season, though he has eight home runs.
********************************************************************
Tigers record: 14-21 (actual 16-19)
Home: 7-11
Away: 7-10
Last 10: 3-7
The Tigers (14-21) have lost four straight, six of seven, and nine of their last 12 games, falling close to the cellar of the AL East.
Tigers starter Joe Coleman was in trouble early and often as the White Sox had more traffic on the base paths than rush hour on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Coleman labored as he fell to 3-5
Coleman was wild, too: six walks thru the first five innings. Two of those walks scored, but more important, the walks forced the right-hander to work harder than normal as Coleman labored through the early innings, when the Chisox built a 3-0 lead using the walks and timely base hits.
The Tigers scored twice in the fourth. Willie Horton doubled, was driven home by Nate Colbert's double, and Aurelio Rodriguez plated Colbert with a single.
But that's as close as Detroit got. The White Sox scored in the fifth for a 4-2 lead (another Coleman walk started the rally), and even though the Tigers got to within 4-3 in the seventh, the White Sox didn't panic. They scored an insurance tally in the eighth.
Tigers manager Ralph Houk almost sounded like he was pleading for calm after the game, in light of his team's recent struggles.
"This is a long grind," Houk said. "The test is how you respond to these bad patches. It's not even Memorial Day yet. There's a lot of baseball to be played."
Still, Houk added, "We're just not swinging the bats. It's the same old thing. We haven't really gotten that going yet."
The Tigers now sit a season high seven games under .500. Houk's right: it's early. The way the Tigers are playing, is that good or bad?
Notes: Gates Brown made his 1975 debut, pinch-hitting for Gene Michael in the ninth. Brown missed the first 34 games with a sprained knee suffered in spring training. He grounded into a 3-6-3 double play and looked to be running gingerly...Reliever John Hiller's ERA rose to 5.59 after giving up a run in one inning of work...Horton's double was just his third of the season, though he has eight home runs.
********************************************************************
Tigers record: 14-21 (actual 16-19)
Home: 7-11
Away: 7-10
Last 10: 3-7
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