Metrodome Memories

October 12, 1987 at Tiger Stadium
Twins 9, Tigers 5
Twins Win Best of Seven Game Series 4-1

The Twins wrapped up the ALCS and won the American League pennant as they dismantled the Tigers pitchers in a game five blowout.  The Twins scored four runs in the second inning and never looked back and while the Tigers closed the game to 4-3, the Twins scored five runs in the final three frames to walk away with the win.

Bert Blyleven wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t have to be.  He gave up three runs in six innings and while Juan Berenguer and Jeff Reardon were also tagged for a run a piece, the hitters kept the Twins well above water.

Tom Brunansky had a big day at the plate.  He went three for five with a double and a solo homer.  Dan Gladden also hit well with two doubles, a single, two RBIs and three runs.  Steve Lombardozzi pitched in with two hits and two runs.

The Twins didn’t know it at the time, but they’d be playing the Cardinals in the 1987 World Series.  That series would go seven games though, so the Twins had four days off between their pennant win and game one of the World Series.

October 11, 1987 at Tiger Stadium
Twins 5, Tigers 3
Twins Lead Best of Seven Game Series 3-1

The Twins put themselves one win away from the World Series with a game four win over the Tigers.  Frank Viola was just good enough and he gave up three runs in five innings and the pen was top notch.  Keith Atherton, Juan Berenguer and Jeff Reardon combined to hold the Tigers scoreless in the final four innings.

Kirby Puckett put the Twins on the board in the third inning with a solo shot and that made it 1-1.  Greg Gagne gave the Twins the lead with a solo homer in the fourth while Gary Gaetti added a run in the fifth on a sac. fly.  The Twins scored for the fourth consecutive inning when Gene Larkin doubled home a run to make it 4-2.  The Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to make it a one run game but Steve Lombardozzi singled home a run in the top of the eighth to provide some insurance.

With just one more game at Tiger Stadium and two at the Metrodome, things were looking good for the Twins.  They had to win just one of those three games to advance to the World Series.

October 10, 1987 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 7, Twins 6 
Twins Lead Best of Seven Game Series 2-1

The Twins came back in dramatic fashion after the Tigers took a 5-0 lead in the third inning only to see their best reliever blow the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.  It was rookie Les Straker who gave up the five second inning runs and then the Twins answered with two runs in each fourth, the sixth and the seventh to take a 6-5 lead.  Then in the bottom of the eighth, Jeff Reardon gave up a two run homer to Pat Sheridan to seal the Twins fate in their first loss of the postseason.

Former Tiger Dan Schatzeder should be given some props for shutting down the Tigers after their big third inning.  He struck out five in 3 1/3 shutout innings although he did allow two of the inherited runners to score.

Greg Gagne and Tom Brunansky both homered in the loss.  Gary Gaetti had two hits and two RBIs while Gagne finished the game with two runs.

October 8, 1997 at the Metrodome
Twins 6, Tigers 3
Twins Lead Best of Seven Game Series 2-0

The Twins took a commanding two games to zero lead over the Tigers in a much easier outing then the previous days thriller.  The Tigers did jump out to a 2-0 lead in the second off of Bert Blyleven, but an RBI double by Tom Brunansky and a two run double by Tim Laudner gave the Twins the lead for good in the bottom of the second.  The Twins added two in the fourth on a two run single by Dan Gladden and one in the fifth on a solo homerun by Kent Hrbek to make it 6-2.

The Tigers scored off of Blyleven in the eighth but former Tiger Juan Berenguer came in to put out the first.  He got the final five Tigers out (four by strikeout) to close out the game.

The scene now moved to Detroit but the Twins had to feel comfortable with their two game lead.  It appeared the Tigers may have been burnt out from their late season pennant race and the Twins were taking full advantage of the situation.