The Thursday Fungo: May 16

May 16, 1984: Tigers 10 – Mariners 1

W: Milt Wilcox (5-0) – L: Matt Young (2-3) | Boxscore

Record: 29-5

Highlights

• The Tigers ambushed Matt Young for five first-inning runs, and then tacked on another five off the Mariners bullpen.

• Every starter and pinch hitter got at least one hit — except for Dave Bergman. He was plunked by Dave Beard after Johnny Grubb homered. 

• Wilcox cruised through six innings, allowing just four hits. Doug Bair, Willie Hernández and Aurelio López each threw a scoreless inning.

Miscellany

• Venue: Tiger Stadium
• Umpires: HP – Richard Shulock, 1B – Derryl Cousins, 2B – Bill Kunkel, 3B – Terry Cooney
• Time of Game: 2:52
• Attendance: 22,001

Dave Machemer #9

Here are a few things to know about infielder Dave Machemer. But first, a nugget from his profile in the 1979 Tigers Yearbook:

Born in St. Joseph, on the west side of Michigan, Dave and his wife still live in neighboring Benton Harbor. The 27-year-old infielder has another Michigan tie, being a 1973 graduate of Central Michigan University at Mt. Pleasant.

• Machemer homered in his first major league at bat, on June 21, 1978, when he debuted with the California Angels. He led off the game by homering off Twins starter Geoff Zahn. Spoiler: It would be his only career homer.

• After a 10-game stint with the ’78 Angels, the Tigers drafted Machemer in the Rule 5 pick that December.

• He made his Tigers debut on April 21, 1979, against the Blue Jays, entering the game in the bottom of the ninth as a pinch runner for Jason Thompson.

• His finest game was on June 29 against the Orioles. Starting at second base and batting ninth, he went 3 for 4, including a double off Dennis Martínez.

• Machemer’s final game was on July 2, 1979, when he pinch ran for Rusty Staub. His Tigers career totals: 19 games, .192 average.

Birthdays

Jack Morris, Doug Brocail, Bob Bruce, the late Billy Martin, Dave Philley, Stubby Overmire and John O’Connell 

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate 410 9/9: Rarity: 12

See you tomorrow.