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Monday, September 11, 2017

Game 5 - "Rogers Centre of the Universe"


GAME 5 - 10/20/82
Rogers vs Ujdur
Expos 8, Tigers 1

Detroit had a monumental task facing them.  In order to force a game 6 and send the series back to Montreal they needed to conquer 25 game winner Steve Rogers, who was on full rest.  Montreal drew first blood in the top of the 2nd as Kid Carter doubled home Al Oliver.  Two batter later Warren Cromartie sent Tiger RF'er Chet Lemon back to the wall for a deep fly that scored Carter easily from 3rd to make it 2-0 Expos.  Tim Wallach's solo blast with 2 out in the 4th make it 3-0 Expos.  The Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the 4th with nobody out, and had Rogers in a jam.  Hojo hit into a 4-6 force play, which scored Larry Herndon and put runners on the corners for Glen Wilson who hit a bullet to Wallach at 3rd.  Wallach, speared the ball and hit Flynn at 2nd with a great throw.  "Country Boy" Dougie pivoted beautifully to get out of the way of the hard sliding Wockenfuss to throw a dart to Oliver at first to complete the DP and get Rogers out of the jam.  For Rogers and the Expos this would be the turning point of the game.  From this point on Montreal's ace was in complete control.  

The Expos added a solo run in the 8th and 4 huge insurance runs in the 9th to make the results a mere formality.  After getting Hojo and Wilson out to start the 9th Rogers began to tire.  Jerry Turner walked and Trammell singled.  Rather than have Rogers throw his 138th pitch of the day the Expos skipper went to the pen and brought in veteran lefty Woodie Fryman to face lefty batting Lou Whitaker, who hit a comebacker to the "Wood-man" to end the game and end the series.  For the first time in the history of major league baseball the World Series champion would not come from the lower 48.  The heavily favored Expos celebrated their fall classic win over a game/young Tiger club that looks destined for future greatness.  Steve Rogers would easily nab the series MVP trophy, going 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA in series play.

Special thanks to Glenn Perry, who managed the Tigers brilliantly to a most unlikely AL pennant.  Glenn was easily a couple of good breaks away from heading back to Montreal up 3 games to 2.  A wonderful competitor is Mr. Perry.
Expos win series 4-1

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