1971 New York at Detroit

Friday  September 24.  New York comes into town for the second to last series of the season.  With the Tigers two games up on the Orioles in the loss column a sweep would clinch a tie for the division title.  The Yankees opened the scoring in the fourth inning on a Ron Blomberg sacrifice fly.  Norm Cash got the run right back when he slammed his 43rd homer of the season in the bottom of the 4th.  The Yankees took the lead again in the 6th on a Ron Hansen groundout, bt the Tigers struck for two in the bottom of the 6th when Aurelio Rodriguez singled home two runs.  Fred Scherman couldnt hold the lead though and the Yankees tied the game in the 8th.  Then Mel Stottlemyre led off the 9th with his 2nd homer of the season and made it stand up in the bottom of the ninth.  Stottlemyre won his 20th (20-7, 2.36)  while Scherman lost his 8th, (8-8, 2.56, 8 blown saves)  Yankees 4  Tigers 3 

 

Saturday, September 25.  The Tigers scored first in this contest when Mickey Stanley tripled home Eddie Brinkman in the second inning.  But in the third, back to back doubles by Bobby Murcer and Roy White produced two runs and a Yankee lead.  Norm Cash deliveed a three run home in the 5th (44) and an rbi single in the 6th.  Joe Coleman made it standup the rest o the way (26-4, 2.72).  Walks did in te Yankees, heir pitchers issuing 10, four of whom scored.  Mike Kekich took the loss (7-9, 3.91)  Tigers 5  Yankees 2.

 

Sunday  September 26.  With reports from cleveland that baltimore has dropped two of three to the Indians, the Tigers have clinched a tie for the division and could win the division with a in today.  And with Mickey Lolich taking te mound, the odds were good.  Lolich has only lost twice since August 1.  fritz peterson and Rusty Torres put a damper on anycelebraton in Motown however.  Torres slammed two homers (2,3) while Horace Clarke hit his first of the season.  Peterson (17-14, 2.46) shut down the Tigers on two hits and one walk.  Lolich lost for the 9th time this season  (32-9, 1.86)  It looks like the Tigers will have to clinch on the road in cleveland if they are to avod a playoff wth the Orioles.  Yankees 5  Tigers 0.