April 28, 1985 Game 224: Tigers (8-8) at Brewers (9-7)

Sparky Anderson was looking to find a way to motivate his struggling team.  Today he would scratch Walt Terrell from his regular turn in the rotation and give the ball to Todd Crane who would make his season debut.  The Brewers send Teddy Higuera to the mound to keep the Tiger bats in check.

The Tigers get 2 in the 2nd when Evans hits a 2 run shot off of Higuera, his 5th of the season and the Tigers lead it 2-0.  Crane looked a little nervous for the firt 3 innings and in the 4th the Brewers make him pay.  Schroeder singles, Householder singles, Oglivie doubles scoring Schroeder.  Gantner then hits a deep SACFLY to Lemon scoring Oglivie and the game is tied at 2.

Crane would settle in after that and would only allow 2 more hits the rest of the game.  Higuera was also locked in and now we had a pitchers duel. In the 7th the Tigers would break the tie.  Lemon hits a 1-out double, Flynn rips a 2-out single scoring Lemon and the Tigers have a 3-2 lead.

The Tiger bullpen takes over and shuts down the Brewers and giving Crane his first win of the season. After the game Sparky said "this team needs a spark and I am hoping that this was it."

The Final Score 3-2 Tigers