The World Series always provides opportunities for little known players to step into the spotlight. Game two of my 1968 World Series provided such an opportunity for Don Wert.
After the Tigers jumped to an early 1-0 lead on Willie Horton’s second homer of the series, the Cardinals were able to tie the score in the bottom of the second. Then, in the top of the fourth with Jim Northrup on first and Norm Cash on second, Wert slashed a two-out double.
After back to back singles by Curt Flood and Orlando Cepeda, the Cards would tie the score again in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run double by Mike Shannon. With four hits in eight at-bats, Shannon has been St. Louis’s best hitter so far. However, Mickey Lolich would shut down the Red Birds offense for the final five innings.
Nelson Briles was effective through seven innings for St. Louis. However, he was tagged for a run in the top of the fifth on a Mickey Stanley sacrifice fly after surrendering a leadoff triple to Dick McAuliffe, which would prove to be the winning run.
Lolich pitched a complete game for the victory, scattering seven hits, striking out nine, and only surrendering three earned runs.
For game three, the series moves to Tiger Stadium in Detroit. Ray Washburn is slated to take the hill for St. Louis; Earl Wilson will toe the slab for Detroit. The Cardinals are in desperate need of a win. They certainly cannot afford to go down three games to zero to the Tigers.
The Cardinals didn’t have to worry going down three games to none. Series was tied 1-1.