A six-run sixth inning turned a 2-1 deficit into a 7-2 lead and put the Tigers on the brink of clinching the American League East. The Blue Jays beat the Red Sox to keep the Magic Number at one.
Dennis Martínez neutralized the Tigers’ offense, tossing a complete-game six-hitter, with six strikeouts and no walks.
This one featured three newcomers on the mound: starter Mason, who allowed all three runs in four innings of work. He allowed six hits, walked two and struck out three. Randy O’Neal and Bill Scherrer combined for four innings of one-hit relief apiece.
Lance Parrish had two hits, and the Tigers scored their only run on a wild pitch.
Miscellany
Venue: Memorial Stadium
Umpires: HP – Al Clark, 1B – Tim McClelland, 2B – Don Denkinger, 3B – Rich Garcia
The Tigers had no answer for Orioles starter Mike Boddicker, though he gave them plenty of opportunity: six hits and six walks. He also struck out six.
Sparky had zero patience for Rozema, pulling him after facing just four batters in the first, giving up two runs and getting one out. Bill Scherrer got the Tigers out of the inning.
Then, righty Roger Mason made his major-league debut, pitching the final eight innings allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out six.
Detroit cut the 2-0 deficit in half when Nelson Simmons — making his major-league debut — singled home Johnny Grubb for the Tigers’ only run.
Miscellany
Venue: Tiger Stadium
Umpires: HP – Nick Bremigan, 1B – Vic Voltaggio, 2B – Larry McCoy, 3B – Joe Brinkman
Cary debuted on Aug. 22, 1985 against the A’s in Oakland, in a 13-inning game, earning a save with a sparkling line: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 2 K, 0 BB, 0 ER. (The Tigers won 5-3 in a game that featured a pair of soft-tossing lefties: Frank Tanana versus Tommy John.)
Later in his career, Cary was a starter but in Detroit, he worked out of the bullpen. He finished ’85 with 16 appearances, a 0-1 record, two saves, and a 3.42 ERA. The following year he was one of several left-handers on the Tigers staff including Tanana, newly acquired Dave LaPoint, Willie Hernandez, and Mark Thurmond
He appeared in 22 games in 1986, finished 1-2 with a 3.41 ERA. In his 33.2 innings pitched, he allowed 18 runs and 15 walks. The next offseason he was dealt to the Braves, along with O’Neal, for minor leaguer Freddy Tiburcio and Terry Harper.
After two seasons in Atlanta, he signed with the Yankees and pitched in the Bronx from 1989-91. Cary didn’t pitch in the majors in 1992, but in ‘93 appeared in 16 games for the White Sox. His last appearance came on Oct. 2, 1993 against the Indians.
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