Jim Slayton Hunts For Another Complete Game Victory, Milwaukee Brewers at Detroit Tigers, May 12 1973 (Recreation)

He earned a four-hit complete-game victory against the Yankees three weeks ago. Can Jim Slaton deliver one more for the Brewers to snatch the AL East lead from the Tigers? The powerhouse Detroit Tigers that won the World Series in 1968 may have won the AL East in 1972, but the roster is fighting the ravages of time as the 1973 season gets under way. Results have not gone their way. They may be sitting atop the AL East, but a 14-15 record is not meeting the expectations of the fans or management. Meanwhile, following the franchise’s hasty escape from Seattle, the Milwaukee Brewers are on the up. In his sophomore year as the Brewers’ manager, Del Crandall has assembled an aggressive and athletic line-up during the off-season, including sluggers George Scott and Dave May in the middle of the order.. The Tigers clawed back the lead of the AL East in the first game of this series with the Brewers the previous night. WIth the Brewers now just half a game back, game two will see 22-year-old Jim Slaton pitch to claim back the AL East. A refined delivery on his fastball saw him pitch a four-hit complete-game against the Yankees. Crandall will be looking for the same from his young star. Facing him will be the calm arm of Woodie Fryman. Going 10-3 in the Tigers’ 1972 campaign, Fryman was expected to be a rock for the offence. Instead, he’s been forced into deep counts and struggling with command. With an overworked bullpen, Fryman needs to find his complete-game form from 1972 which saw him throw all nine innings in the decisive AL East championship game. And then there’s the small matter of the introduction of the new Designated Hitter rule. How will that impact on the management of games in the American League? Ewan Spence and the Classic Baseball Radio team bring you this recreated radio broadcast from May 12, 1973. This should not be considered a complete or fully accurate historical record. Nevertheless, this is our story of the game. We thank Retrosheet, Sports Reference, Sports Logos Net, Tom R Audio, Radio Echoes, and Crafting The Call. ** Links ** You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET197305120.shtml Listen to John Cavanagh’’s Soundwave. https://www.mixcloud.com/Radio_Six_International/ The tale of Milt Mason and Bernie Brewer https://www.facebook.com/reel/1129527286434401 Remembering Woodie Fryman’s 18-year Major League career, his double-pump windup, and his pitching approach. http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2011/02/remembering_woo.php The sudden end to Chuck Seelbach’s promising big-league career due to arm issues. http://whentoppshadballs.blogspot.com/2020/08/not-really-missing-in-action-1972-chuck.html An analysis of the 1973 Detroit Tigers' physical decline, bullpen injuries, and Billy Martin’s eventual dismissal. https://thespitter.com/2016/05/20/the-most-disappointing-season-for-the-detroit-tigers/ Profile of Jim Slayton, his first years as a starting pitcher before commanding the Brewers bullpen in their pennant-winning 1982 season. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jim-slaton/ Remembering Dave May's league-leading 295 total bases in 1973 and his eighth-place finish in MVP voting. <a href="https://reviewingthebrew.com/2012/10/23/forme