Mike Witt and Floyd Bannister were the dueling starters in this match-up and both looked good. The first run of the game didn't cross home plate until the top of the fourth. Brian Downing reached on a fielding error by Vance Law. Downing moved to third on a two-out double by Juan Beniquez, and then scored on a Rob Wilfong single. Beniquez also tried to score but got gunned down at home by Ron Kittle.
And that was the only run of the game until the bottom of the ninth! Witt was still on the mound, trying to complete the shutout. But he walked Greg Luzinski with one out. Mike Squires came on to pinch-run and then Rudy Law hit an RBI double to tie the game! Witt left the game after that and Luis Sanchez got the final two outs to send the game into extra innings.
The White Sox bullpen was a bit depleted, so Salome Barojas was charged to keep the game tied. He immediately walked Bob Boone but induced a double play from pinch-hitter Rod Carew. But then Ron Jackson walked, Gary Pettis singled and Brian Downing...HOMERED! Three-run blast! Greg Walker launched his own solo shot in the bottom of the tenth but it wasn't enough to overcome the Angels' left fielder.
Winning Pitcher - Luis Sanchez
Losing Pitcher - Salome Barojas
Player of the Game - Brian Downing, 2-5, HR, 2Rs, 3RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Carlton Fisk
This was the last of a four game series against the two best teams in Statis Pro. The Blue Jays had a 2-1 series lead, so Detroit was desperate to dismiss Toronto with a loss.
Both teams had studs on the mound; Dave Stieb and Jack Morris. Morris was the stronger pitcher through the first three innings as Stieb had to work out of several jams. The wheels finally fell off in the bottom of the fourth. Dave Bergman singled and scored on a Howard Johnson double. HoJo crossed home plate on a Marty Castillo triple, his fourth of the season. Whitaker then knocked Castillo in on an RBI single. Stieb would load the bases before getting Chet Lemon to ground into a double play but that's as far as Stieb would pitch on the day.
Detroit held a 3-1 lead in the top of the seventh before Ernie Whitt launched a ball into the rightfield bleachers to tie the game at 3-3. It stayed tied heading into the bottom of the ninth. Alan Trammell was first up, and ended up on second after a disastrous error by Garth Iorg. That brought up Kirk Gibson, facing fellow lefty Bryan Clark. Gibby ripped a walk-off double, though, to win the game!!! The Tiger leftfielder was the hero!!!
Winning Pitcher - Willie Hernandez
Losing Pitcher - Bryan Clark
Player of the Game - Kirk Gibson, 3-4, BB, 2B, GWRBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Alan Trammell, Jack Morris
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