[Nick Soulis]

Series #163



1970 Detroit Tigers
Record: 79-83
Finish: 4th in AL East
Manager: Mayo Smith
Ball Park: Tiger Stadium
WAR Leader: Mickey Lolich (4.7)
Franchise Record: 12-9
1970 Season Record: 1-0
Hall of Famers: (1) Al Kaline
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1970.shtml

2009 New York Mets
Record: 70-92
Finish: 4th in NL East
Manager: Jerry Manuel
Ball Park: Citi Field
WAR Leader: Angel Pagan (4.0)
Franchise Record: 1-3
2009 Season Record: 2-1
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/2009.shtml
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Tempers And Fight Leave Tigers Standing
Contested Seven Game Series Had It All



Game 1
At Tiger Sradium
2009 New York Mets 11
1970 Detroit Tigers 3
WP: J. Santana (1-0) LP: M. Lolich (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Ryan Church (3-5, 4 RBI, R)
2009 Mets Lead Series 1-0

The 2009 New York Mets opened the Field of Dreams series with a resounding 11-3 victory over the 1970 Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Ryan Church headlined the Mets' offensive explosion, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs and earning Player of the Game honors. A four-run first inning set the tone for New York, highlighted by Carlos Beltrán’s RBI double off Detroit ace Mickey Lolich. The Mets' bats stayed hot, pounding out 17 hits, including key contributions from Ángel Pagán, who notched two doubles, and Alex Cora, who added a triple and two RBIs. Johan Santana pitched eight solid innings, limiting the Tigers to three runs while striking out two. Detroit managed a late rally with runs in the seventh and eighth, but defensive miscues and a struggling Lolich on the mound sealed their fate. Game 2 will take place tomorrow, with the Tigers hoping to even the series in front of their home fans.

Game 2
At Tiger Sradium
2009 New York Mets 3
1970 Detroit Tigers 5
WP: L. Cain (1-0) LP: N. Figueroa (0-1)
HR: B. Freehan (1), R. Castro (1)
POG: Les Cain (8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 128 P)
Series Tied 1-1

The 1970 Detroit Tigers rode a five-run first inning and a stellar pitching performance from Les Cain to a 5-3 victory over the 2009 New York Mets in Game 2 of their Field of Dreams best-of-seven series. Playing at the historic Tiger Stadium under cool, partly cloudy skies, Cain struck out seven over eight innings, allowing just three hits and two runs to stifle the Mets’ offense. Bill Freehan’s three-run homer highlighted the Tigers’ opening barrage, capitalizing on two Mets errors. Detroit’s bullpen faced a scare in the ninth when Ramon Castro launched a three-run homer, but Tom Timmermann recorded the final outs to seal the win. The Tigers' victory tied the series at 1-1, setting up an intriguing Game 3 at Citi Field in New York.

Game 3
At Citi Field
1970 Detroit Tigers 4
2009 New York Mets 8
WP: B. Parnell (1-0) LP: M. Kilkenny (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Ramon Castro (4-4, 2B, RbI, 2 R)
2009 Mets Lead Series 2-1

In front of a lively Citi Field crowd, the 2009 New York Mets surged past the 1970 Detroit Tigers with an explosive seventh inning, securing an 8-4 victory in Game 3 of the Field of Dreams series. Ramon Castro starred for the Mets, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, three singles, two runs scored, and an RBI, earning Player of the Game honors. David Wright delivered the go-ahead hit in the sixth inning, a two-run single with two outs, to give the Mets a 3-2 lead. The seventh inning broke the game open as New York plated five runs, highlighted by Ryan Church’s RBI triple and a run-scoring double from Ramon Martinez. Bobby Parnell earned the win with six innings of solid work, while Francisco Rodriguez weathered a shaky ninth to close the door. The Tigers’ early offense, powered by doubles from Al Kaline and Norm Cash, fizzled as Detroit struggled against Mets pitching. With a 2-1 series lead, the Mets look to build on their momentum in Game 4 at Citi Field.

Game 4
At Citi Field
1970 Detroit Tigers 9
2009 New York Mets 3
WP: J. Hiller (1-0) LP: M. Pelfrey (0-1)
HR: W. Horton 2 (2)
POG: Willie Horton (4-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R)
Series Tied 2-2

In Game 4 of this best-of-seven Field of Dreams series, the 1970 Detroit Tigers roared back with a dominant 9-3 win over the 2009 New York Mets, tying the series at two games apiece. Willie Horton stole the show at Citi Field with a masterful performance, going 4-for-5 with two towering home runs and driving in five of Detroit's runs. Horton's three-run blast in the third inning off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey erased an early 1-0 deficit, while his two-run shot in the seventh put the game out of reach. Detroit’s Joe Hiller was solid on the mound, scattering eight hits over seven innings while striking out eight. Al Kaline and Norm Cash added to the Tigers' offensive firepower, with Cash scoring three times and notching a critical triple. The Mets struggled to capitalize on opportunities, stranding eight runners and managing just one extra-base hit. The Tigers' win shifts the momentum in a tightly contested series, with the stage set for a pivotal Game 5 tomorrow in New York.

Game 5
At Citi Field
1970 Detroit Tigers 7
2009 New York Mets 2
WP: M. Lolich (1-10 LP: J. santana (1-1)
HR: W. Horton (3)
POG: Willie Horton (3-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)
1970 Tigers Lead Series 3-2

In a heated Game 5 of the Field of Dreams series, the 1970 Detroit Tigers powered past the 2009 New York Mets, 7-2, at Citi Field to take a 3-2 series lead. The game saw Willie Horton dominate with a homer and three RBIs, while Al Kaline added four hits in the Tigers' relentless 15-hit assault. Detroit broke the game open in the sixth inning with Horton’s two-run blast, capping a three-run rally off Mets ace Johan Santana. However, the game turned chaotic in the same inning when Tigers' Dick McAuliffe was hit by a pitch from Ken Takahashi, sparking a bench-clearing brawl that led to both players’ ejections. Despite late-game defensive efforts, including Pedro Feliciano and J.J. Putz keeping the Mets afloat, New York’s bats failed to overcome costly errors and stranded runners. With tension running high, the series shifts back to Tiger Stadium for a crucial Game 6.

Game 6
At Tiger Sradium
2009 New York Mets 7
1970 Detroit Tigers 6 (10 inn)
WP: F. Rodriguez (1-0) LP: T. Timmerman (0-1) S: P. Feliciano (1)
HR: C. Beltran (1)
POG: Carlos Beltran (2-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2B, R)
Series Tied 3-3

In a thrilling Game 6 of the Field of Dreams series, the 2009 New York Mets edged out the 1970 Detroit Tigers 7-6 in extra innings, tying the series at 3-3 and setting up a decisive Game 7. Carlos Beltran shone for the Mets, delivering a clutch performance with a three-run homer in the fifth inning and a key double that highlighted his 4-RBI night. The Tigers staged a dramatic comeback, with Willie Horton’s two doubles and three RBIs leading the charge. However, Ryan Church’s sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th proved the difference, as the Mets’ bullpen, anchored by Pedro Feliciano, held firm. The game, played under clear skies at a picturesque Tiger Stadium, captivated the 37,000 in attendance with its tension and back-and-forth drama.

Game 7
At Tiger Sradium
2009 New York Mets 2
1970 Detroit Tigers 9
WP: M. Kilkenny (1-1) LP: B. Parnell (1-1)
HR: None
POG: Norm Cash (3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R)

On a crisp October afternoon under the clear skies of Tiger Stadium, the 1970 Detroit Tigers overwhelmed the 2009 New York Mets with an explosive first inning, cruising to a 9-2 victory in Game 7 to capture the Field of Dreams Series. Norm Cash delivered a stellar performance, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, earning Player of the Game honors. Al Kaline added a triple and an RBI, while Mickey Stanley’s early two-run double set the tone. Detroit jumped on Mets starter Bobby Parnell, scoring five runs in the opening frame, and never looked back. Starter Mike Kilkenny weathered some turbulence, giving up two runs in the fourth but held firm with help from the bullpen duo of Fred Lasher and Joe Niekro, who shut down New York’s offense. Despite a brief rally led by Carlos Delgado’s two-run single, the Mets couldn’t recover from their early deficit. With this triumph, the Tigers secured their place in Field of Dreams history, their raucous home crowd of 41,217 roaring in celebration as the final out was recorded.

1970 Detroit Tigers Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(.433, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 13 H, 8 R, .833 SLG, 1.302 OPS)