1971 Oakland at Detroit

This series was played head to head betwen Bill Keller and Tom Davis

Friday July 21. Mickey Lolich took the mound looking for his 21st win; opposing him would be Catfish Hunter. The Tiges opened the scoring wth a two run double in the first by Jim Northrup. That was really all Lolich would need, though Norm Cash (30), Bill Freehan (18) and Northrup (16) all deposited shots into the stands. Sal Bando's homer (15) in the 8th was the only Oakland tally. Lolich went to 21-6 an Hunter fell to 9-10. Tigers 9 Athletics 1

Saturday July 22. Dick Green's (6) two run homer in the second and Bando's (16) three run homer in the third gave Blue Moon Odom (3-4) a comfortable cushion. But Aurelio Rodriuez (11) and Northrup (17) each hit two run homers to bing the Tigers within one run. Campy Campaneris singled home Green in the 8th to extend the lead. A Freehan (19) homer in the ninth caused Rollie Fngers (5 saves) a little anxiety but he cloed the game in fine fashion. Les Cain (2-3) took the loss despite striking out 11 in 6.2 innings. Athletics 6 Tigers 5

Sunday Juy 23 (first game) The Tigers hit three homers in the third; Gates Brown (3), just off the disabled list struck first and he was followed by back to back homers by Northrup (18) and Freehan (20), each hitting their third homer of the series. The A's never figured out Joe Coleman (13-3) who only allowed one walk and two hits. Chuck Dobson (7-7) took the loss. Tigers 8 A's 1

Sunday July 23 (second game) Vida Blue (15-5) matched Coleman's effort of the first game, blanking the Tigers on two hts and one walk. Mike Epstein (13) hit a three run homer in the first and although the A's continued to score, the game was esentially over. The Tigers didnt have a runner until the fourth innig and didnt have a hit until the 6th. Tiger starter Bill Denehy (1-4) only lasted three innings A's 6 Tigers 0 --submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--