Sweet 16 matchup versus the #11 seed Detroit Tigers vs. #6 seed Kansas City Royals. The Tigers finished the year 84-77 and third place in the AL East. The Royals finished 91-71 and first in the AL West and was also World Series Champions.
The Tigers send ace Jack Morris (16-11 3.33 Grade 13Y) to the hill versus Charlie Leibrandt (17-9 Grade 15Z) for the Royals.
The Tigers would waste no time getting on the board in the 1st. After a Lou Whitaker walk, Kirk Gibson would take Leibrandt out to center for a 2 run shot. The Royals would come right back and get a 2 run shot of their own by Steve Balboni in the 2nd. With the score still 2-2 the Tigers would jump back in front in the 4th with another 2 two run homer, this time by Chet Lemon. In the 5th they would add yet another 2 spot, Lance Parrish with an RBI single and Nelson Simmons with a RBI double.
With the score 6-2 the Tigers would add 2 more insurance run with yet another 2 run homer. Darrell Evans sends a long homer to right to make it 8-2. The Royals would make some noise in the bottom half scoring 2 runs but it was too late, as the Tigers take Game 1 and steal home field advantage.
Final Score: Tigers 8, Royals 4
WP: Jack Morris (1-0)
LP: Charlie Leibrandt (0-1)
HR’s: Tigers – Kirk Gibson (1), Darrell Evans (1), Chet Lemon (1) Royals – Steve Balboni (1)