The Tigers went into Game 5 pinning their hopes on Juan Berenguer, who did not pitch in the 1984 World Series, and he was fabulous holding Boston to a single run in seven innings of work to lead the '84 Tigers to an ALDS victory over the 2017 Boston Red Sox. Berenguer was tagged with the monicker "Senor Smoke" during his days in Minnesota due to his sneaky mid nineties heater. His role had shifted to the bullpen during his tenure with Minnesota, where he picked up a second World Series ring with the 1987 Twins. In 4 seasons with Detroit, Berenguer amassed a 25-21 record with a 3.87 ERA primarily as a starting pitcher.
The Tigers' offense was led by the legendary double play duo of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. Both Tiger stalwarts spent a combined 39 years with Detroit, coming up to the big club together in 1977. The following year, Whitaker snared the AL Rookie of the Year honors while Trammell finished 4th in the voting. Trammell would have a slight leg up on Whitaker in a few other areas though. In his two decades in Motown, Trammell was a 6 time all-starto Whitaker's 5 selections, and Trammell also had one more Gold Glove honor than Whitaker, receiving 4 for his fielding excellence.
Detroit was down 2-1 in the series, and the offensive presence from the top of the lineup was virtually non-existent. This all changed in the last 2 games of the series with the contributions of "Sweet Lou" and Trammell. Both men batted a combined 10-20 in the final two games with 2 homers, 2 doubles, 1 triple and 6 RBI. Trammell ended the series as the top hitter for Detroit with a . 409 BA.
It would be Boston's offense's turn to disappear in the final two games, scoring only twice in 17 innings on 15 hits.
In the finale, Whitaker hit his first homer of the series. The Tigers' all-time leader in home runs by a second baseman drilled an opposite field two run shot leadoff walk off Boston starter Chris Sale. Sale would go six innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and deserved better as Boston squandered two golden opportunities to get the jump on the Tigers.
In the fourth inning, Boston had runners on second and third with only one out. Hanley Ramirez rapped a single and Pablo Sandoval reached on a two base error on a misplayed fly ball by Tiger right fielder Kirk Gibson. Berenguer got Mitch Moreland to pop out, and Andrew Benintendi lined out to Whitaker to end the inning. Betts put Boston on the board in the fifth, but the Red Sox had a chance for more. They had the bases loaded with no one out and a chance to kick the door in. Again, Berenguer tight-roped out of danger as Betts' sacrifice fly was sandwiched between two pop outs by Xander Bogaerts and Hanley Ramirez. It was the second one-sided lossfor Boston in as many games.
With a heavy heart, I'll now have to hope I can complete the comeback in my other Red Sox playoff series with the 2007 edition going into a Game 5 with the 1998 Yankees. Stay tuned for results!
The Tigers' offense was led by the legendary double play duo of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. Both Tiger stalwarts spent a combined 39 years with Detroit, coming up to the big club together in 1977. The following year, Whitaker snared the AL Rookie of the Year honors while Trammell finished 4th in the voting. Trammell would have a slight leg up on Whitaker in a few other areas though. In his two decades in Motown, Trammell was a 6 time all-star
Detroit was down 2-1 in the series, and the offensive presence from the top of the lineup was virtually non-existent. This all changed in the last 2 games of the series with the contributions of "Sweet Lou" and Trammell. Both men batted a combined 10-20 in the final two games with 2 homers, 2 doubles, 1 triple and 6 RBI. Trammell ended the series as the top hitter for Detroit with a
It would be Boston's offense's turn to disappear in the final two games, scoring only twice in 17 innings on 15 hits.
In the finale, Whitaker hit his first In the fourth inning, Boston had runners on second and third with only one out. Hanley Ramirez rapped a single and Pablo Sandoval reached on a two base error on a misplayed fly ball by Tiger right fielder Kirk Gibson. Berenguer got Mitch Moreland to pop out, and Andrew Benintendi lined out to Whitaker to end the inning. Betts put Boston on the board in the fifth, but the Red Sox had a chance for more. They had the bases loaded with no one out and a chance to kick the door in. Again, Berenguer tight-roped out of danger as Betts' sacrifice fly was sandwiched between two pop outs by Xander Bogaerts and Hanley Ramirez. It was the second one-sided loss
With a heavy heart, I'll now have to hope I can complete the comeback in my other Red Sox playoff series with the 2007 edition going into a Game 5 with the 1998 Yankees. Stay tuned for results!
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