[Lord Byron]

1976 American League Championship Series: Detroit Tigers vs. California Angels

Results

Game 1, October 5th, 1976, Tiger Stadium, Detroit
Hunter, Detroit Open CS Strong with 2-0 Win
The League Championship Series got off to a quiet start, with the host Detroit Tigers taking a low-scoring, 2-0 win over the California Angels. Detroit right-hander Catfish Hunter was marvelous at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 series.
Hunter was brilliant for Detroit. The right-hander went the distance, shutting out the Angels on just 3 hits.
"You never want to start a series with a loss, but I saw a lot of good things today," Angels manager Sid Gordon said. "I'm not worrying. Yet."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Tiger Stadium in Detroit.
Tigers lead series 1-0

Game 2, October 6th, 1976, Tiger Stadium, Detroit
Detroit Over California in 14-0 Romp
The Detroit Tigers did not need a superhuman effort from starter Pat Zachry, not with their offense scoring runs at will. They got one, regardless, as the right-hander shut out the California Angels in the 14-0 Tigers win. Zachry threw 9.0 innings of shutout ball as Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 series.
Zachry earned the win, going 9 strong innings for Detroit. The native of Richmond, Virginia, allowed just 3 hits, while striking out 8. California hitters did next to nothing against the right-hander.
"We have been clicking right from the start of this series, so our mission statement at the moment is just don't tinker with anything," Detroit manager Harry Malmberg told reporters.
The next game is set to be played on October 8th, 1976 at Anaheim Stadium in California.
Tigers lead series 2-0

Game 3, October 8th, 1976, Anaheim Stadium, California
May Blasts Tigers, Angels Take Game 3, 6-4
The California Angels have closed some of the gap between themselves and the series-leading Detroit Tigers, winning, 6-4, at Anaheim Stadium. Angels designated hitter Lee May was 2-3 with a home run and a walk, while scoring 2 and driving in 2. The win cuts the deficit facing the Angels to 2-1 in the best-of-5 League Championship Series.
Jim Essian contributed to the California win with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth. For the game, the catcher had 2 hits in 4 at-bats with 1 home run, 1 single, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBIs.
"Things broke our way today and that's great," Angels manager Sid Gordon said. "It's important, though, to stay focused and not pat yourself on the back too much. We aren't done yet."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Anaheim Stadium in California.
Tigers lead series 2-1

Game 4, October 9th, 1976, Anaheim Stadium, California
Tigers Heading to World Series
Fans at Anaheim Stadium saw the League Championship Series come to a close today, as the Detroit Tigers defeated the California Angels by a score of 6-4, and advanced to the World Series.
Detroit won the series 3-1 and will now continue their march toward the World Series.
"It feels good to be moving on, I can't deny it," said left fielder Richie Zisk, who was named series MVP. "Not everyone thought we'd make it this far."
The Detroit Tigers don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Houston Astros-Pittsburgh Pirates series. That series is tied at 1 game each. The World Series schedule will be announced after the League Championship Series finishes.
Tigers win series 3-1

ALCS MVP: LF Richie Zisk (Detroit Tigers)

National League Championship Series: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Houston Astros

Results

Game 1, October 6th, 1976, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh
Barrios, Pittsburgh Open League Championship Series with Win
Francisco Barrios and the Pittsburgh Pirates opened the League Championship Series in brilliant fashion, shutting out the visiting Houston Astros at Three Rivers Stadium, 3-0, and securing an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 series. Barrios, the Pirates right-hander, threw 8.0 innings of shutout ball.
Barrios was in the zone, shutting down Houston hitters over 8 innings. Barrios, who threw 111 pitches, allowed no runs on 3 hits. He also tallied 6 punchouts.
"Every team in baseball loses," Astros manager Garton Del Savio said. "We're in the playoffs and we still have the same guys that got us here. We'll bounce back."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Pirates lead series 1-0

Game 2, October 7th, 1976, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh
Astros Even With Pirates After Extra-Innings Win
The Houston Astros went the distance and then some at Three Rivers Stadium to drag themselves back into a tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It took 13 innings to settle Game 2 of the League Championship Series, but Houston eventually took the 5-3 win behind the efforts of pitcher Dennis Eckersley. Eckersley threw 8.0 innings of 6-hit ball to aid the Houston cause. The clubs are now tied 1-1 in their best-of-5 series.
The outcome might have been different for Houston, had it not been for Robin Yount, the 1974 Rookie of the Year Award winner. Yount stroked a 2-run double in the top of the 13th inning to put Houston up, 5-3. For the game, he was 2 for 4, including 1 double and 1 single.
"It was a good day, but I'm not letting my guard down," Yount said. "I'll let my guard down as soon as someone puts a big, fat championship ring on my finger."
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at the Astrodome in Houston.
Series tied 1-1

Game 3, October 9th, 1976, the Astrodome, Houston
Houston Takes 2-1 Lead in League Championship Series
The Houston Astros got a strong performance from pitcher Burt Hooton, who stymied the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates en route to a win, 7-1, in Game 3 of the League Championship Series. The Pirates could never get a bead on the right-handed Hooton, who threw 7.2 innings allowing 1 run. The Astros now hold a 2-1 in the best-of-5 series.
Robin Yount cracked a home run off Santo Alcala in the bottom of the third. His 2-run blast put the Astros on top, 2-1. In all, Yount had 1 single in addition to the home run, while going 2 for 5.
"We don't have much margin for error now," Pirates manager Doyt Morris said. "We need to figure out the problem and fix it, immediately."
The next game is set to be played tomorrow at the Astrodome in Houston.
Astros lead series 2-1

Game 4, October 10th, 1976, the Astrodome, Houston
Pittsburgh Win to Pull Even With Houston
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros will take the League Championship Series to a decisive 5th game. In a must-win situation, the Pirates beat the Astros, 3-2, at Astrodome to force the series into what will essentially be a one-game playoff. Pittsburgh right-hander Al Fitzmorris had a big role in the win. He threw 6.0 innings of 2-hit ball.
Had Jose Cardenal not delivered a key base hit in the top of the seventh, the outcome might have been different. Instead, with two down and runners on 1st and 2nd, Cardenal hit a run-scoring single. That made the score 3-2 in favor of the Pirates.
"We're one game closer to our goal," Pittsburgh manager Doyt Morris said later. "It isn't any more complicated than that."
The next game is set to be played on October 12th, 1976 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Series tied 2-2

Game 5, October 12th, 1976, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Takes League Championship Series in Deciding Game
Pittsburgh Pirates won a nail-biting series against the Houston Astros 3-2, wrapping up the League Championship Series finale 7-5 at Three Rivers Stadium.
Pirates second baseman Lee Lacy was named the series MVP.
He batted .409, drove in 2 runs and scored 3 to lead Pittsburgh into the next round of play.
"Lee was real solid for us, real solid," said Pirates manager Doyt Morris. "I normally say I'd like to have nine of him out there, but thankfully we got by with just one this time."
The Pittsburgh Pirates will play against the Detroit Tigers in the next round. Detroit won their series against the California Angels 3 games to 1. The World Series schedule will be announced after the League Championship Series finishes.

NLCS MVP: 2B Lee Lacy (Pittsburgh Pirates)