March 2, 2012

April 8, 1984 - Lemon Parade, Bando Played On, Dempsey Ejected


Game #54 - Detroit Tigers, 6 @ Chicago White Sox, 4
This was an exciting, back-and-forth game for D-town and the Southside. The Tigers scratched first when Chet Lemon hit a three run jack in the top of the first to give Detroit the early lead. But the White Sox scored single runs in the second, third, and fourth inning to tie things up thanks to a Ron Kittle solo shot, RBI single from Julio "won't you take me on a sea" Cruz (sorry if my Chris Berman reference just made you throw up in your mouth a little) and a Tom Paciorek RBI double. The Tigers retaliated by hitting a two run homer, this time thanks to Lance Parrish, who was DH-ing for the game. But Harold Baines kept Chicago's hopes alive (wasn't that a TV show?) when he produced his own solo home run. With Detroit leading 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh, SS Scott Fletcher walked and went to second on a sacrifice from Cruz. Rudy Law slapped a single to center field and Fletcher raced for home. He met a "sour" fate, though, because Chet Lemon gunned him down to prevent the tie. Lou Whitaker added yet another homer for the Tigers to leave the final score at 6-4.


Winning Pitcher - Dave Rozema (despite giving up 4 runs in 5IP)
Losing Pitcher - Richard Dotson
Save - Willie Hernandez
Player of the Game - Chet Lemon - 2-5, HR, 3RBI's, OF Assist
Hall of Famers in the Game - Carlton Fisk


Game #55 - Cleveland Indians, 10 @ Kansas City Royals, 3
Royals starting pitcher Paul Splittorff gave up 14 hits in 5 and 2/3 innings, which is definitely the most base knocks a pitcher has given up in a single outing this year. Joe Carter added his fourth homer of the year and C Chris Bando served up a grand salami in the top of the ninth to punctuate KC's humiliation. Royals catcher Don Slaught did manage to throw out two Indians trying to steal second, though it didn't change the final outcome much.


Winning Pitcher - Steve Comer
Losing Pitcher - Paul Splittorff
Player of the Game - Chris Bando, 3-5, Grand Slam
Hall of Famers in the Game - George Brett


Game #56 - Baltimore Orioles, 13 @ Minnesota Twins, 7
Early in the game it looked like the Twinkies would finally get their first win of the season and the O's their first loss. Minnesota scored two runs off Scott McGregor in the bottom of the first. But the O's brutalized pitcher Al Williams in the third inning, as Gary Roenicke hit a three run bomb and Eddie Murray (*swoon*) added a two run homer too. It got worse for the Twins in the sixth. Baltimore added another seven runs. Murray had a two RBI double and 3B Wayne Gross put a ball in the cheap seats to chase off reliever Ron Davis, who surrendered four runs in only a third of an inning.


Things got goofy in the bottom of the sixth. With a 12-2 lead, I drew a "z" card. If you're new to the blog, a "z" card indicates something out of the ordinary is about to happen. In this case, Baltimore catcher Rick Dempsey disagreed with the way the home plate umpire was calling balls and strikes, and was promptly ejected! Rick must be quite the competitor - with a ten run lead he's still protecting his pitcher out there. The Twins had a fun rally in the bottom of the ninth, scoring five runs, but it wasn't nearly enough.


Winning Pitcher - Scott McGregor
Losing Pitcher - Al Williams
Player of the Game - Eddie Murray, 2-5, HR, 2B, 4RBI's, 2R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray


Detroit, Cleveland, and Baltimore have continued their torrid start to the season. Who will fade first?

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