4/22/67: Twins-Tigers

Northrup's single rallies Tigers to wild win over Twins

Detroit, Apr 22-Jim Northrup's 2-run single with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th rallied the Tigers to a wild 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins in a game the Tigers had complete control of through 8 innings until a miraculous Twins comeback of 6 runs in the top of the 9th forced the Tigers into catch-up mode. 

Lolich in command 

The Tigers lefty had the Twins stymied through the first 8 innings, allowing 3 hits. He had plenty of run support as the Tigers scored 1 in the 2nd, 3 in the 5th and 1 in the 6th. The Tigers 3rd inning rally began with a lead-off home run by Don Wert, followed by an error by 3rd baseman Rich Rollins allowing Dick McAuliffe to reach. Mickey Stanley then doubled McAuliffe to 3rd, who would then be forced out on a Al Kaline FC to 2nd. With the infield in, Northrup grounded to 1st moving Kaline to 2nd, then Bill Freehan singled in both Stanley and Kaline to extend the Tigers lead to 4-0. 

A collapse, then a comeback

With the Tigers up 5-0 entering the top of the 9th, Mickey Lolich hit Twin 3B Rich Rollins to open the inning. Tony Oliva then doubled Rollins to 3rd, followed by a walk to Harmon Killebrew, loading the bases. Bob Allison then hit a grounder to Wert at 3rd which forced him to make a hurried throw to 1st, sailing it past Norm Cash, scoring Rollins and Oliva and chasing Lolich from the game. Fred Gladding took over and allowed an RBI single by Zoilo Versalles, scoring Killebrew and sending Allison to 3rd, cutting the Tiger lead to 5-3. Rod Carew then singled home Allison, Versalles to 2nd. PH Rich Reese singled Carew to 2nd, but Mickey Stanley's throw home gunned down Versalles. Earl Battey tied the score with an RBI single, then Cesar Tovar doubled home Reese, putting the Twins ahead, Battey to 3rd. Orlando Pena relieved Gladding, getting PH Ted Uhlaender on a grounder to short and getting Oliva looking to end the long top of the 9th.

The comeback

Al Worthington took over for the Twins and got PH Lenny Green looking and Wert on a fly to center. Dick McAuliffe then drew a 2-out walk and Mickey Stanley and Al Kaline got back-to-back singles, Kaline's just trickling past Rod Carew. Then Jim Northrup singled past Carew, scoring McAuliffe and Stanley, capping off an improbable ball game at "The Corner."

RECORDS: DET 7-3 MIN 3-5

DET 7-13-1 MIN 6-9-2 WP-Pena LP-Worthington HR-Wert  

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