1983 Detroit Tigers Replay

7/30/83 Detroit 5 Kansas City 4 (Completion of suspended game)

7/30/83 Kansas City 8 Detroit 2

The first order of business today was for the Tigers to finish the game against the Royals, which was suspended at the end of 8 full innings on 7/29/83.

Dave Rozema, who had relieved starter, Matt Wilcox in the top of the seventh, was called on to get the final three outs. He did so, retiring Pat Sheridan, John Wathan and Willie Wilson in order, in the top of the ninth, thereby preserving Detroit’s 5-4 win. Rozema(6-6) was credited with the win.

The regularly scheduled game was all Kansas City, as Bud Black and crew rolled to an 8-2 win. George Brett had a homer and a double, and knocked in two runs; Willie Mays Aikens also homered, and U.L. Washington was 4-5, with two runs scored.

For the Tigers, Enos Cabell hit his sixth homerun of the season. Also, a tip of the cap to reliever, Aurelio Lopez. When starter and losing pitcher, Glenn Abbott(7-9) lasted just 2 and two thirds innings; Lopez came on and tossed six and a third innings of solid relief. He did give up Brett’s ninth inning homerun, but for a guy with a POW rating of 3 innings, he was stellar.

Detroit will play a double header with K.C. on 7/31/83. Here are the current standings:

Team GM# Won Lost Pct GB

Baltimore 98 59 39 .602 –

New York 97 55 42 .567 3.5

Detroit 99 56 43 .566 3.5

Toronto 99 55 44 .556 4.5

Milwaukee 98 54 44 .551 5

Boston 100 54 46 .540 6

Cleveland 100 42 58 .420 18