1984 Detroit Tigers

[stevem810]

June 11 - 13

Detroit arrives in Toronto with a lackluster 32-28 record, Kirk Gibson out for about a week, and they exit with record of 32-31. Having lost 4 straight, and the Brew Crew winning 4 straight, the Tigers have actually dropped into 5th place behind Milwaukee with each team 8.5 GB.

After 63 games played I don't see this team rallying to win the pennant unless the Starting Pitching really turns it around. There are no arms to call up so it really is up to the guys they have right now.

NYY -
Tor - 2
Bal - 5.5
Mil - 8.5
Det - 8.5

[webrian]

Hi. I am enjoying this thread as I also like to play out full seasons by great teams.

I'm curious: are you setting the daily lineup or letting the computer do it? The 1984 Tigers were great because their pitching was rock solid (your pitching SHOULD round into shape some time) but also because they had so many quality interchangeable parts. I find that the computer does not do a great job of duplicating the actual 1984 Tigers' lineup so I always have to tinker with it.

Maybe if you take more control of the lineup, you can light a fire under them.

[BaseballMan]

Originally Posted by stevem810

June 11 - 13

Detroit arrives in Toronto with a lackluster 32-28 record, Kirk Gibson out for about a week, and they exit with record of 32-31. Having lost 4 straight, and the Brew Crew winning 4 straight, the Tigers have actually dropped into 5th place behind Milwaukee with each team 8.5 GB.

After 63 games played I don't see this team rallying to win the pennant unless the Starting Pitching really turns it around. There are no arms to call up so it really is up to the guys they have right now.

NYY -
Tor - 2
Bal - 5.5
Mil - 8.5
Det - 8.5

You still have plenty of time to turn it around. If you can get it down to 4 or 5 back by the time you hit 100 games you would be in good shape.
Then just one series sweep and your right there in the race.

[stevem810]

Originally Posted by webrian

Hi. I am enjoying this thread as I also like to play out full seasons by great teams.

I'm curious: are you setting the daily lineup or letting the computer do it? The 1984 Tigers were great because their pitching was rock solid (your pitching SHOULD round into shape some time) but also because they had so many quality interchangeable parts. I find that the computer does not do a great job of duplicating the actual 1984 Tigers' lineup so I always have to tinker with it.

Maybe if you take more control of the lineup, you can light a fire under them.

Yes, I actually manage the Tigers game by game and most of the time play by play. It will be interesting to see if guys like Gibson, Petry, and Jack can elevate their games. Otherwise, watch out for those Yanks! Actually, the Jays are the team that look like a pretty good bet to make it to the top of the standings in the near future.

[stevem810]

McClure vs Petry

Dan Petry tossed 122 pitches to get the Tigers to Willie Hernandez and the 9th inning with a 3-1 lead and the Closer did not disappoint. It took but 11 pitches to retire the Crew 1-2-3. Sweet Lou went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs. Petry is now 7-5 on the season and Willie notched save #8. McClure (1-5) absorbs the loss.

Morris vs. Haas
With a rainout on Saturday Jack Morris took the hill for the Tigers and kept them in the game but the inability to turn a double play on Manning broke it open for the Brewers in the 7th and they went on to win 4-3. Lemon hit a 2 run homer in the 9th but it left the Tigers one run short.

Wilcox vs. Chuck Porter
Milt didn't have much luck in this one as all 5 Brewer runs were scored with 2 out but the big blow was a grand slam by Ted Simmons after an error by Tram. With Kirk Gibson on the sidelines for the third straight game Detroit loses 5-2 and falls a game behind the Crew.

NY 44-22
Tor 42-25
Bal 35-31
Mil 33-31
Det 33-33

AL West
Chicago White Sox 43-24 +9
KC Royals 32-35 -11 (3rd place)

NL East
Pittsburgh Pirates 37-30 +2

NL West
LA Dodgers 47-22 +12
S.D. Padres 35-34

Interesting in that none of the division champs are doing very well after 66 games or so.

[stevem810]

Game 67 Glenn Abbott vs. Phil Niekro

Yanks scored single runs in first and second that were erased when Bergman crushed his 5th homer of the year to left center in the bottom of the 3rd making 3-2, Detroit. Daryl Evans 19th homer of the season in the 4th gave the Tigers just enough margin for a 4-3 win when Rozema came on for the 6th and shut down NY completely until turning it over to Hernandez who closed it for save #9. The Tigers are now 10 back of the division leading New York Yankees.

Game 68 Juan Berenguer vs. Ron Guidrey

Great pitchers duel that had the Tigers up 1-0 by virtue of Chet Lemon's solo shot (16) in the bottom of the 2nd and it stayed that way until Donnie 'baseball' Mattingly took Roger Mason for a ride as he answered Lemon's bases empty homer with one of his own. It stayed 1-1 until the 12th when the Yanks loaded the bases with 0 outs. Sid Monge came on to pitch to Mattingly and he greeted him with a run scoring single. Winfleld then singled in another (3-1). Smalley walked to make it 4-1. Randolph grounded out scoring another run making it 5-1.

With most of the crowd heading for the exits Lemon lead off with a walk off Righetti. Parrish doubled. Evans doubled and it was 5-3. Barbey singled making it first and third, still 0 outs. Herndon then hit a SF making it 5-4. PH Bergman walked putting runners at first and second. Sweet Lou then walked and the bases were juiced. Tram then singled in a run tying the game at 5!. Ho Jo fanned on a 1-2 pitch and then Chet Lemon ripped a base hit to CF and the Tigers had an improbably 6-5 comeback win in 12 innings. Tigers now 9 back of NY.

Game 69 Petry vs. Fontenent

The Yanks dominated from the beginning and rode the left arm of Ray Fontenent to an easy 6-1 victory in the final game of the series. The bottom 3 hitters Gamble, Meacham, and Moreno collected 2 hits apiece, scored 4, and batted in 4.

Detroit trails the Yanks by 10 and the Jays trail them by 2. Brew Crew comes to town for 4 game set and then it's the Tigers traveling to Yankee Stadium for a rematch.

[stevem810]

Game 70 Morris vs Eichelberger

Jack pitched great. 7 IP/5 hits/ 1 run/ 0 earned and Rozema went the final 2 innings picking up the win 2-1 Tiger victory. Larry Herndon greeted Rollie Fingers with a walk off job with 0 outs in the bottom of the 9th.

Game 71 Wilcox vs Moose Haas

Ho Jo (13) and Gibby (10) homer and account for 7 rbi's as Detroit wins 9-6 elevating Wilcox to a 7-6/3.95 ERA record.

Game 72 Abbott vs. Porter

The Crew scored with 2 outs throughout the game allowing them to win it easily 8-3. Cooper and Younts turn to account for 7 ribbies as Cecil hits his 7th of the season. The 4th and final game of the series takes place Sunday afternoon.

Game 73 Berenguer vs Sutton

Juan Berenguer improves to 5-7 as he gave the Tigers 7 solid innings allowing only 1 run when he uncorked a WP in the 7th. Gibby got on base all 4 tmes (2 singles/2 walks) and Lance Parrish delivered his 10th HR in the 4-1 win. Willie Hernandez retired 3 of 4 batters to earn his 11th save of the season.

So, the Tigers take 3 of 4 from the Crew and inch up the standings as they board the plane for 3 games in the Big Apple.

NY 46-27
Tor 45-28 -1
Bal 39-33 -6.5
Det 38-35 -8
Mil 35-35 -9.5

[stevem810]

Game 74 Fontenent vs Petry

Unlike in Detroit, Ray Fontenent did not have the Tigers number as the Tigers pounded out 15 hits to win it 4-3. Petry the W and Willie Hernandez the save.

Game 75 Montefusco vs Morris

Jack had the Yankees befuddled all day long as he went 8 innings in the night cap game leading Detroit to a 15-4 win. Only 3 meaningless runs in the 9th allowed by Monge kept it from being a complete blowout. Actually, it still qualified despite the Yanks runs. Parrish, Ho Jo, and Gibson with the Tiger homers.

Game 76 Rawley vs. Wilcox

If Milt had anything...anything at all Detroit would have won this game. But, as it was, he had nothing, nada, zip. The Yanks took an 8-0 lead but with an exhausted bull pen the Tiger hitters kept working the counts. Once Rawley exited the tired relievers were put to the test...3 in the 7th for Detroit...3 in the 8th (left the bases loaded)...1 in the 9th with Gibson on second base but Parrish could not deliver. It would have been a huge win for Detroit but they will have to settle for 2 of 3 as they fall 8-7.

Jays -
NY - 1/2
O's -6
Det - 7.5

An off day tomorrow and then a DH with Minnesota followed by a pair of single games. After beginning the month 4-11 vs the East, Detroit finishes 12-16.

[stevem810]

Game 77 Abbott vs Viola
Abbott with a gem as Detroit wins 6-0.

Game 78
The Tigers score the final 5 runs of the game and win it 6-4. All the Twin runs were unearned as Hrbek hit a grand slam with 2 outs in the fourth. Berenguer (6-7) the W, and Hernandez the S (13). Detroit sweeps the doubleheader.

Game 79 Petry vs Schrom
Twins win 4-2 behind Ken Schrom (4-2).

Game 80 Morris vs. Hodge
Detroit had a 6-2 lead with Jack on the mound but then between Morris and Rozema they coughed up gopher balls to Brunansky and Engle and found themselves on the short end of 7-6 score. This time it was the Twinkies who scored the final 5 runs.

[webrian]

I can't stop following this. How can these Tigers be so mediocre? I am sure the computer allows for surprises -- otherwise the game would be TOO predictable.

Still, knowing what we all know about the real world, it's just hard to give up on the 1984 Tigers. The potential is deep within, but the volcano hasn't erupted yet. But it seems to be simmering now.

[stevem810]

Originally Posted by webrian

I can't stop following this. How can these Tigers be so mediocre? I am sure the computer allows for surprises -- otherwise the game would be TOO predictable.

Still, knowing what we all know about the real world, it's just hard to give up on the 1984 Tigers. The potential is deep within, but the volcano hasn't erupted yet. But it seems to be simmering now.

That's two of us that are surprised. At first it was a bit disappointing but recently I've come to embrace the 'can they come from behind' status of these Tigers. They have definitely been playing better but have let a few games slip through their fingers, notably the one just completed.

81st game coming up...half way point.

[stevem810]

[stevem810]

[stevem810]

Leading up to the All Star Break the Tigers will play 3 games with the AL West leading Chicago White Sox (51-29) then 4 games in Arlington playing the 36-44 Texas Rangers.

Game 81 Wilcox vs Burns

A shame, really, to lose this game. Milt Wilcox gave the Tigers 7.2 innings of shutout ball, Detroit took a 1-0 lead into the 9th but Willie Hernandez proved he is human as he yielded a triple and 3 singles with the winning run scoring with 2 out in the 9th. Sox win 2-1.

Game 82 Abbott vs Dotson

The White Sox stranded 3 runners, the Tigers 10. The White Sox scored 9 times, the Tigers 3.

Game 83 Bannister vs. Berenguer

Detroit blew leads of 4-0 and 5-1 and the White Sox looked like they were going to sweep the Tigers right out of Comisky after the 4 run 6th. In the 9th, Larry Herndon, batting in Gibson's #3 hole, doubled in Tram to put Detroit up 6-5. Gibson was batting 8th as a result of his 2 for 27 streak. Mason was relieved with a man on and 1 out in the 9th and Carl Willis induced a DP ball off the bat of Harold Baines to put an end to Detroit's 4 game skid.

[stevem810]

[stevem810]

July 5 Hough vs. Petry

Chet Lemon's 3 run bomb in the 6th put the Tigers up 3-2. His double in the 8th, along with Herndon's rbi, gave the Tigers a 5-2 lead but it still took Willie Hernandez getting the final out in the 9th to secure the win. Petry the W (9-7) and Hernandez the S (14).

July 6 Noles vs Morris

Daryl Evans 23rd homer of the season staked the Tigers to a 1-0 lead then Gibson and Lemon had rbi singles in the 3rd to make it 3-0 Detroit. Morris (7-8) and Rozema surrendered 1 run each before Hernandez in the 9th came on to close it out. Final Tigers 3, Rangers 2.

July 7 Darwin vs Wilcox

The Tigers had a 1-0 lead in the 4th...lost it. They had a 3-1 lead in the 9th....lost it by making 2 errors. They had a 4-3 lead in the 10th...you guessed it....lost it as Gary Ward hit a 2 run homer off Dave Rozema. Rangers win 5-4.

July 8 Abbott vs. Mason

Carryover from the day before as the Rangers held the Tigers scoreless until the 9th when Evans and Herndon went back to back but too little, too late as the Rangers close out the series with a 4-2 win. The Tigers learned after the game that Kirk Gibson (HBP) would be lost for a week.

All Star Break is next up.

[stevem810]

As you can see the Detroit Tigers are not the only divisional winner to be struggling in the replay. Look at those Cubs!

[stevem810]

Game 87 Hodge vs. Morris

Jack goes 7 innings/116 pitches but doesn't get enough offense and the Tigers drop a 3-2 game.

Game 88 Viola vs. Petry

Frankie Viola makes easy work of the Tigers as the Twins cruise to an easy 8-0 win. Petry falls to 9-8 and the Tigers to 45-44.

Game 89 Smithson vs Wilcox

D. Evans hits #25 but Wilcox gives up bombs to Bush and Hrbek and the Twins make it 3 in a row by virtue of the 5-3 win. Detroit is now 45-45 and in danger of falling below .500 if they don't win on Sunday.

Game 90 Butcher vs. Berenguer

The Tigers rattled base hits all over the Metrodome as 17 hits produced 8 runs in the 8-5 win salvaging the final game of the 4 game series. Sweet Lou homered and every starting Tiger had at least one hit. Berenguer is now 7-7.

Having lost 5 of the last 6 road games the Tigers are looking forward to going back to Motown. White Sox up next.

[stevem810]

Game 92 Abbott vs. Dotson

The Sox outhit the Tigers but Detroit pitching made them strand 10 runners in the 2-0 win. CL Willie Hernandez gave Sparky a few more white hairs but in the end Larry Herndon scored the games only runs with his triple and single.

Game 93 Morris vs Bannister

Jack showed up in a huge way tossing 122 pitches, allowing but one 6th inning single by Greg 'the Bull' Luzinski, and earned a CG win in the 8-1 route. The keystone combo (Tram and Lou) hit homers and Herndon tripled, again. Detroit now 48-45 and showing a pulse.

Game 94 Petry vs. Seaver

Dan Petry was not as good as Jack the day before but he was close as his line was: 9 IP/ 3 hits/ 1 run as Detroit won 10-1 behind Larry Herndon's 5 rbi's and 6th homer of the season.

Next up the Rangers in Detroit.

[stevem810]

Game 85 Wilcox vs Mason

A tough game to lose for Detroit Willis and Mason just couldn't slam the door in the 4 run 8th and Texas won a close one, 6-5.

Game 86 Berenguer vs. Darwin

Willie Hernadez gave up 3 hits and 1 walk in the 9th allowing 2 runs and those were the two that made the difference as Texas beats Detroit for the 4th in a row 4-2.

Game 87 Abbott vs. Noles

This time it is Detroit scoring twice in the 8th as they tallied 5 unanswered runs to win it 7-6. Abbott was shaky giving up 6 runs in 4 innings so it was Roger Mason to the rescue with 4 innings of shutout ball to give Detroit a chance. Ho Jo blasted #17 in the 7th for Detroit.

Game 88 Morris vs Tanana

For the 4th day in a row the game was decided in the 8th inning as Evans and Lemon had rbi hits giving the Tigers an 4-3 despite out hitting the Rangers 12-7. Jack picks up another win and is now 9-9/ 4.49.

So, Detroit splits the 4 game set with Texas and is no 51-47.

NYY 61-36
Tor 62-37 -
Bal 55-42 -6
Det 51-47 -10.5

You'd have to conclude with 3 teams above them and ten and a half out that it doesn't look good for Tigertown.