April 8, 1984 – Tigers 7, White Sox 3 (5-0)
Dave Rozema pitched four strong innings, but had to leave the game when his arm tightened up. He left Aurelio Lopez with a one run lead, and summarily slammed the door, giving up only one run (Harold Baines home run), one hit, and striking out four in four strong innings.
The Tigers got to Tom Seaver early as well, scoring five runs in the first five innings. Kirk Gibson hit his second homer of the season. Tram stole his fourth base. Barbero Garbey doubled twice and drove in three runs.
I’m not sure why, but this game went three hours and seventeen minutes. Back then, that was a pretty long game.
And one odd quirk about the 1984 season is the Tigers played in four home openers. They opened the Metrodome, Comiskey, Fenway and then of course Tiger Stadium. They rained on everyone’s parade that year.