Game Seven of the 1968 World Series was at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on October 10.
The Tigers had trailed the series 3 games to 1, but had won Game Five in Detroit, and trounced the Cards in Game Six in St. Louis.
The Cardinals had ace Bob Gibson ready to go for Game Seven. He had already beaten Denny McLain twice in this World Series, but the Tigers had juggled things a bit. McLain had won Game Six and Mickey Lolich, who had -- like Gibson -- won two games in the '68 Series, got the start for the Tigers.
This game was scoreless through the first six innings. The Tigers scratched out one hit, a fourth inning single by Mickey Stanley, off Gibson. That was Detroit's only baserunner.
St. Louis did not fare much better against Lolich. They had Curt Flood single and an Orlando Cepeda walk in the first and a Tim McCarver single in the fifth.
Lou Brock looked like he was going to start a rally when he began the St. Louis sixth with a single. However, Lolich picked him off first. Later in the inning, Flood singled. Lolich picked him off first.
Detroit got to Gibson in the seventh. After there were two outs, Norm Cash and Willie Horton singled. Jim Northrup, who had a grand slam in Game Six stepped up and the Tigers got a fortunate break. Here is the wikipedia entry:
Northrup hit a line drive to center field. Gold glover Curt Flood misjudged the ball and started in, allowing the ball to sail over his head for a triple. Northrup then scored on Bill Freehan's double for a 3-0 lead.
Ouch.
Don Wert drove in the fourth and final Detroit run of the game with a ninth inning single.
The Cardinals broke through against Lolich in the ninth on a two-out solo home run by Mike Shannon. Then, McCarver popped out to end the game and the Series.
Complete Game Seven boxscore is HERE. Complete Game Seven play-by-play is HERE.
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