Ringo bracket: 1961 Tigers defeat 1924 Cubs in six games

Game 1: Tigers 7. Cubs 4
WP: Lary (3-0)
LP: Jacobs (0-1)
Save: Kline (1)
HR: Bruton (2)

Game 2: Cubs 16, Tigers 10 (11 innings)
WP: G Bush (1-0)
LP: Kline (0-1)
HR: Colavito (2)

Game 3: Tigers 11, Cubs 10
WP: Mossi (2-0)
LP: Wheeler (2-1)
HR: Grimes (1), Hartnett 2 (2), Wood (2), Kaline (2), Cash (3), Colavito (3)

Game 4: Cubs 5, Tigers 3
WP: Kaufmann (1-1)
LP: Aguirre (0-1)
HR: Cash (4), Statz (2)

Game 5: Tigers 11, Cubs 2
WP: Lary (4-0)
LP: Jacobs (0-2)
HR: Statz (3)

Game 6: Tigers 5, Cubs 4 (12 innings)
WP: Staley (1-0)
LP: Blake (0-1)
HR: Colavito (4), Boros (1), Hollocher (1), Hartnett (3)

This series was marked -- or marred -- by erratic fielding and ineffective bullpens.

Detorit won the opener behind six innings of two-run ball from starter Frank Lary. Pinch-hitter Bobo Osborne put the Tigers ahead with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth. Bill Bruton scored three times for Detroit and drove in three.

The Cubs scored the final 13 runs of the second game to overcome a huge deficit and their own fielding incompetence. Eight of Detroit's 10 runs were unearned as the Cubs were charged with six errors. Ray Grimes had a bases-loaded pinch-hit triple in the ninth and scored the tying run. Jigger Statz and Cliff Heathcote each scored three runs for the Cubs, and George Grantham, Gabby Hartnett and Grimes each scored twice. Bernie Friberg and Hartnett each had three RBIs. Rocky Colavito scored three runs for the Tigers and drove in a pair.

The series moved to 1924 and Wrigley Field for Game Three, and the runs and errors kept coming. Al Kaline, Norm Cash and Colavito hit consecutive homers in the top of the ninth to seeming put the game out of reach, but Grimes hit a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the ninth off Phil Regan to pull with in one. All four runs for the Cubs in that inning were unearned, as was one other score. Colavito had four RBIs and three runs scored. Hartnett homered twice for Chicago; he and Hack Miller each scored three runs.

Tony Kaufmann and Paul Foytack calmed things down in Game Four. Foytack took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth, but with one out Statz homered and Heathcote singled. Hank Aguirre entered and allowed a double, a walk and, after an out, another double. That put the Cubs in front, and Kaufmann went the distance with a seven-hitter to even the series.

Lary threw a complete game of his own in Game Five, and the Tigers scored in seven of the nine innings. Two of the five runs Chicago starter Elmer Jacobs allowed in three innings were unearned. Lary allowed six hit and walked none, but one of the hits was a two-run homer by Statz. Bruton scored three runs fot the Tigers.

The series reverted to 1961 and Tiger Stadium for Game Six, which featured the Hall of Fame pitching matchup of Pete Alexander and Jim Bunning (as had Game Two). Alexander went 10 innings for the Cubs but allowed a game-tying homer in the ninth to Colavito. Hartnett homered and tripled twice. The Tigers won the game, and the series, on Steve Boros' RBI single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th.

Player of the Series: Rocky Colavito

Pitching issues: All Tiger relievers will be rested for the third round

Projected rotation:  Lary-Bunning (with penalty)-Mossi-Foytack-(Lary)-(Bunning [full rest])-Mossi