The Tigers ran into a buzz saw in game one of the 1968 World Series and the end result was a game one loss.  Bob Gibson struck out a World Series record seventeen batters as he was the star of game one with a five hit shutout.  The Tigers had almost as many errors (3) as they did hits in this one and a mediocre start by Denny McLain meant little because he would have had to have been perfect for the Tigers to walk away with this one. 

The Cardinals got on the board in the fourth inning with three runs.  Roger Maris led off with a walk before Orlando Cepeda popped out to Norm Cash.  Tim McCarver drew a walk and then Mike Shannon drove in Maris with an RBI single.  McCarver moved to third and Shannon moved to second on the play after an error by Willie Horton and then Julian Javier singled them both home to make it 3-0 Cardinals.

The Tigers only real threat came in the sixth inning.  Dick McAuliffe singled and then moved to third on a two out double by Al Kaline but Norm Cash struck out to end the inning.  The Cardinals added a run in the seventh off of Pat Dobson when Lou Brock belted a solo homer but the insurance was unneccesary.

Mickey Stanley was the lone Tiger to reach base more then once with a pair of singles.  Kaline’s double was the lone extra base hit but even he had a tough day with three strikeouts. 

The Tigers failed to set their new franchise win record for the second straight day and Denny McLain lost his sixth game of the season.  Blame the offense on this one though because McLain definitely threw a good enough game.  He gave up just two runs (one earned) on five hits and five walks with four strikeouts in seven innings.  The loss dropped his record to 31-6.

Gates Brown went two for three with a double.  Don Wert singled and he scored the lone Tigers run.

Tigers 6, Yankees 2  (99-54)

It’s funny how this Denny McLain win is almost more memorable then his 30th.  With the pennant and the game firmly in hand, McLain grooved a pitch to Mickey Mantle in the eighth inning to give him a nice send off in what was his final at bat at the ballpark.  The end result was Mantle’s 535rd career homer.  Still McLain threw a nice game and he improved to 31-5.  He gave up two runs on eight hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.

Norm Cash belted two homers and drove in three in the win.  He finished a perfect three for three with a walk.

This game was also significant because it was the first big league start at shortstop by Mickey Stanley.  With a loaded outfield and a lack of hitting at shortstop, Mayo Smith took the chance of a position move for Stanley and this game was the beginning of his warm up at the position heading into the World Series.

Denny McLain needed some ninth inning heroics but the end result was his historic 30th win of the season.  With the A’s up 4-3, the Tigers picked up two runs in the ninth to win it.  Al Kaline came home on a fielder’s choice by Jim Northrup and then Willie Horton singled home Mickey Stanley for the game winner.  McLain improved to 30-5 and he gave up four runs on six hits and one walk with ten strikeouts.

Norm Cash was the hitting star.  He went two for four with a homerun and three RBIs.  The homer was his 21st of the season.

Denny McLain improved to 29-5 and he was now one away from the magical 30 win mark.  He gave up two runs on nine hits and a walk with twelve strikeouts in another complete game.

Jim Northrup doubled twice, scored a run and drove in one.  McLain helped out his own cause with a team high three hits and he tripled, drove in two and scored a run.

Denny McLain marched closer to his 30th win of the season and while it wasn’t his best start, it was good enough because the Tigers gave him plenty of offense.  He gave up three runs on nine hits and one walk with twelve strikeouts in the complete game win.  His record was 28-5 after the impressive outing.

Willie Horton had a monster day at the plate.  He went two for four with his 32nd homerun and five RBIs.  Mickey Stanley had a pair of singles and he scored two runs.

The Tigers entered the final month of their historic and took care of business behind another solid start by Denny McLain.  He improved to 27-5 and he gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.  McLain not only had to contend with a 43 minute rain delay that put off the start of the game, but he also had to deal with a 51 minute delay after the Tigers hit in the bottom of the first inning.

Jim Northrup had a big game and he went three for five with a homerun, three RBIs and two runs.  Mickey Stanley also had three hits to go along with run and RBI while Dick McAuliffe went one for three with two walks and three runs.

Denny McLain followed up his two consecutive losses with his 26th win as the Tigers took care of the Angels in their series opener.  McLain gave up one run on six hits and two walks with eleven strikeouts in yet another complete game.

Jim Northrup had a big day at the plate. He went three for four with a homerun, three RBIs and two runs.  Bill Freehan hit his 20th homer of the season and Willie Horton went three for four with two runs.

For the first time all season, Denny McLain dropped consecutive decisions although this one was hardly his fault.  He fell to 25-5 and he gave up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts in seven solid innings.

The Tigers were held to a mere four hits in the contest.  One of those hits was a solo homer by Willie Horton, his 30th of the season.

John Hiller gave up a leadoff single in the top of the fifth inning and that was the lone hit against him in an incredible one hit shutout.  He walked two, struck out seven and improved to 6-3 as the Tigers took the opener in both their series with the White Sox and their doubleheaderr.

Gates Brown got a rare start in left field and he made the most of it.  He went two for three with a homerun and two RBIs.  Mickey Stanley went two for four with two RBIs and a run.

August 20, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
White Sox 10, Tigers 2  (79-45)

Denny McLain fell to 25-4 with a rough outing as the Tigers failed to sweep the White Sox in their twin bill.  McLain gave up nine runs but just two them were earned as a result of four Tiger errors.  He gave up nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Willie Horton was the hitting star in the loss.  He went two for four with a double and an RBI.

Denny McLain put on another pitching show as he won his 25th game of the season.  He gave up just seven hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in his shutout win.  It was his sixth straight complete game and his sixth shutout of the season.

Dick McAuliffe was the hitting star in the win. He doubled, tripled and scored two runs.  Al Kaline belted a two run homer and he drew two free passes in the win.

Denny McLain improved to 24-3 with his fifth straight complete game.  In this one, he gave up three runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts although two of the five hits he gave up left the park.

Norm Cash homered and drove in a pair in the win.  Mickey Stanley went one of three with two RBIs and a run.

The Tigers wrapped up a four game sweep with a beatdown over the Indians in their series finale.  Bill Freehan was one of several hitting stars and he homered twice and drove in four.  Denny McLain also helped out his own cause with a double, a run and an RBI.

McLain coasted to an easy win and he improved to 23-3.  He gave up one run on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in another complete game win.

The Tigers jumped on Denny McLain’s back once again and he led the team to a win in their rubber with the Twins.  McLain improved to 22-3 and he gave up just one unearned run on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts in another complete game.

Mickey Stanley was the hitting star with a triple, a single and a run.  Dick McAuliffe also tripled and he scored the other Tiger run.

Denny McLain threw his second straight shutout and picked up his 21st win of the season as the Tigers kicked off their series against the Senators with a win.  McLain gave up just four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts.

Dick McAuliffe was the hitting star in the win.  He was a perfect four for four with two doubles, a solo homer, and he scored all four Tigers runs.

Tiger stars Willie Horton and Denny McLain shined as the team won for the 63rd time at the 100 game mark today.  McLain improved to 20-3 with an impressive three hit shutout.  He walked two and struck out seven and with 20 out of the way, McLain had his eyes set on 30 wins with over two months left in the season.

Willie Horton homered twice and drove in four.  The two long balls brought his season total up to 25 on the season.  Dick McAuliffe, Don Wert and Al Kaline all went yard as well while Norm Cash went four for five with two doubles and two runs.

The Tigers took game one of their series with the Senators with another dramatic comeback.  Down 4-3 in the eighth inning, Jim Price singled home Al Kaline to tie the game up and then Gates Brown singled home Bill Freehan for the game winner.  Jim Northrup doubled home Al Kaline in the ninth for some insurance that the Tigers didn’t need.  Speaking of Kaline, he was a perfect two for two with three walks, two runs and two RBIs.

Denny McLain improved to 19-3 despite a mediocre start.  He gave up four runs on eight hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings.  Jon Warden threw the final 1 2/3 innings and he picked up his third save of the season.

Denny McLain lost just his third decision of the season and had his shortest start as the Orioles evened their series with the Tigers.  McLain fell to 18-3 and he gave up five runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Mickey Stanley was the hitting star in the loss.  He went two for four with a double, two RBIs and a run.

Denny McLain did it again.  He not only helped the Tigers avoid a sweep at the hands of the Angels, but he also helped them snap a three game losing streak.  McLain improved to 18-2 and he gave up just eight hits with eight strikeouts in the complete game shutout.

Al Kaline had just one hit in four at bats but it was a solo homer.  Tom Matchick finished two for four and he drove in a run.

Willie Horton belted a walk off solo homer as the Tigers bounced back and beat the A’s in the first game of their doubleheader.  Dick McAuliffe was also one of the hitting stars and he went two for four with a solo homer and two runs. 

Denny McLain got it done again.  He improved to 16-2 and he gave up four runs on five hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in another complete game.

July 7, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 7, Athletics 6  (55-28)

The Tigers held on to beat the Athletics and they completed a sweep over the team in their doubleheader.  The Tigers jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the seventh but the A’s chipped away at the deficit and while they made it a one run game, Mickey Lolich was able to strikeout the final batter with a runner on to end the game.  For Lolich, it was his first save of the season (check career marks).

Al Kaline was back and he hit his fourth homer of the season.  Dick McAuliffe doubled twice, scored a run and drove in one.  This was the Tigers last game as they headed into the All Star Break for some much needed rest.

The Tigers remained perfect in the month of the June and they won their third game behind a trio of homeruns.  Norm Cash belted two run shot while both Dick Tracewski and Willie Horton went yard with nobody on base.  For Horton, it was his ninteenth of the season and Bill Freehan pitched in with a double, two singles and an RBI.

Denny McLain improved to 15-2 on the season with another nice start.  He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with ten strikeouts in the complete game win.

The Tigers won their fifth straight game and once again, it was Denny McLain who pitched the Tigers to victory.  He improved to 14-2 and he gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts in another complete game.

Jim Northrup hit another grand slam and those four RBIs turned out to be the difference in the game.  Norm Cash drove in the other run with a solo shot in the second inning and Denny McLain helped out his own cause with two hits and a run.

Jim Northrup put a huge exclamation point as the Tigers finished up their series with the Indians with a blowout win.  Northrup hit not one, but two grand slams and he finished with eight RBIs.  Jim Price hit his first homer of the season and Bill Freehan went two for five with a double, two runs and two RBIs.

Lost in all of the offense was another nice start by Denny McLain.  He gave up three runs on nine hits with eight strikeouts and the win pushed his record to 13-2 on the season.

The Tigers took the rubber game in their series with the Red Sox and once again, it was Denny McLain who got it done on the mound.  He improved to 12-2 and he gave up just one run on three hits and two walks with ten strikeouts in the complete game win.

Mickey Stanley had a monster day at the plate in the win. He went three for four with a homerun, a double and four RBIs.

Mickey Lolich fell to 5-4 on the season despite a solid outing as the Tigers lost to the White Sox in the first game of their Sunday doubleheader.  He gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. 

Bill Freehan was the only Tiger with two hits in the contest.  Don Wert doubled, scored a run and drew a walk.

June 16, 1968 at Comiskey Park
Tigers 6, White Sox 1 (41-22)

The Tigers salvaged both a split in their doubleheader with the White Sox as well as their four game series behind another fantastic outing by Denny McLain.  He improved to 11-2 and he gave up one run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven innings.  Pat Dobson got the final five outs and he picked up his first save of the season.

Jim Northrup doubled, singled and drove in a pair.  Dick McAuliffe doubled, drove in two and scored a run in the win.

The Tigers finished up a four game sweep over the Twins with yet another solid pitching performance.  It was the third time in the series that the Twins were held to a mere one run and in the fourth game, the Twins managed just a pair of runs.  This time it was Denny McLain, who notched his tenth win of the season.  He gave up one run on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts in the complete game.

Mickey Stanley singled and scored a pair.  Bill Freehan went two for four and he both scored and drove in a run.

Luis Tiant held the Tigers to just four hits and while Denny McLain was nearly as good, he suffered his second loss of the season.  He fell to 9-2 and he gave up two runs on three hits with four strikeouts in eight innings of work.

Gates Brown had the only extra base hit with a double.  Dick McAuliffe singled, but he had a team high two strikeouts.

The Tigers overcame a three run first inning deficit to top the Red Sox 5-4.  Denny McLain had the tough first inning but he buckled down and improved to 9-1.  He gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits with a strikeout in six innings.  Daryl Patterson was fantastic and he threw three no-hit innings to close the game out and he picked up save number one.

Mickey Stanly hit his fourth homer of the season, a solo shot in the sixth inning.  Jim Northrup reached base three times with a pair of singles and a walk.

This time it was the Yankees who came out on top in a one run game as they topped the Tigers in the first game of their Sunday doubleheader.  The Tigers scored three runs in the sixth inning but then the Yankees finally got to Denny McLain, who gave up single runs in the seventh and eighth innings.  Then in the ninth, Jon Warden gave up what would be the game winner on a close play at the plate that would see Tigers manager Mayo Smith get ejected.

Warden took the loss and while McLain didn’t get the win, he threw a decent enough game.  He gave up three runs on nine hits and a walk with four strikeouts in eight innings.

Dick McAuliffe accounted for half of the Tigers’ hits with three singles, a run and an RBI.  Jim Northrup had the only extra base hit with a double.  He also walked and drove in a run.

June 2, 1968 at Tiger Stadium
Tigers 8, Yankees 1  (30-17)

Mickey Stanley capped off a six run fifth inning with a grand slam as the Tigers salvaged a split with the Yankees in their doubleheader.  Stanley finished the game with two hits while Jim Northrup went two for four with two runs and an RBI.

Lost in all of the offense was a very nice start by John Hiller.  He improved to 3-1 and he gave up just one run on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in the complete game win.

Denny McLain did it again with another exceptional start as he improved to 8-1.  He gave up just four hits and a walk with thirteen strikeouts in the shutout win.

Willie Horton’s two run homer in the seventh inning was his thirteenth of the season.  Dick McAuliffe went three for four and he drove in the other Tiger run.