Classic Baseball - Tigers' Thunderous Third Thumps Sawx

Detroit finally unpacked their bats after being blanked in Game 3 and blindsided Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez with a two out 7 run barrage in the third inning. The Tigers coasted to a 9-1 win, forcing a fifth and deciding game back at Comerica Park.

The 1984 Tigers led the Majors in runs scored in their championship run with 829 (edging out the '84 Red Sox who had 810). They also were first in homers with 187, and it was the long ball that was featured in a torrid attack in the third. 

Detroit went in order for the first 2.2 innings with Rodriguez striking out three while only surrendering one hit. Oddly, it would be utility man Tom Brookens that began the stunning two out rally. Brookens, who never had a post season hit in 19 career plate appearances, came into the game as one of the top Tigers' hitters in the series, batting 3-6. Brookens slammed a solo blast to straight away center to give Detroit a 1-0 lead. Lou Whitaker then hit a chopper that pulled Red Sox first baseman Keith Moreland wide of the bag. Whitaker would beat his flip to Rodriguez for an infield single. Tigers' 6 time all-star shortstop Alan Trammell belted a high changeup over the Green Monster that increased the lead to 3-0. Kirk Gibson then drilled a double off the left field wall, and Tigers' catcher Lance Parrish laid waste to another high changeup from Rodriguez for the second two run homer of the inning. Parrish, like Trammell, was also a 6 time all-star for the Tigers and is the all-time leader in franchise history for homers by a catcher with 212. Rodriguez looked as if he might escape the inning as Darrell Evans hit a weak roller down the third base side, but he was able to beat out Pablo Sandoval's throw on a perfect swinging bunt. Larry Herndon finished off the scoring with a final haymaker - slugging the third two run tater of the inning. Steven Wright was called on to retire Tom Brookens, the eleventh Tiger to come to the plate, to mercifully end the third. In all, Detroit scored seven times on nine hits. Five of those nine hits went for extra bases - four homers and a double.

The Boston bullpen effectively shut down the Tigers for the next 5.1 innings after Rodriguez's debacle with Wright chipping in with 3.2  innings of shutout pitching. In the ninth, Carson Smith ran into trouble as Lance Parrish smacked a 2 run bases loaded single for his fourth hit of the game. His 4 RBI earned him player of the game honors, but I think Tiger ace Jack Morris was more deserving of that acknowledgement.

Jack Morris continued to have a stellar ALDS going the distance in this one on short rest. He gave up 8 hits and struck out 4. The only flaw in his outing was a solo home run off the bat of Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon. In two starts in this ALDS, Morris has pitched 16 innings, allowing 12 hits and owns a 1.69 ERA. 

Morris won a total of 198 games in a fourteen year stint in Motown, sitting fifth all-time in franchise history. His career post season resume reveals a 7-4 record in 13 starts with a 3.80 ERA and 3 championship rings to his credit. In the 1984 playoffs, Jack started 3 games and won every one posting a 1.80 ERA. He further established himself as a big game money pitcher winning the World Series MVP as a member of the 1991 Minnesota Twins. Morris was victorious in 4 out of 5 outings that post season with a 2.54 ERA. Included in those victories was a 10 inning shutout in the seventh game against the Atlanta Braves which is known as one of the greatest pitching performances in World Series history.

Boston will turn to Chris Sale in hopes he can spin some of the same sorcery as he did in Game 1. Detroit will counter with Juan Berenguer.