Tigers-Pirates, top of fifth

The sound of the ambulance racing through the downtown streets is always sobering in this part of the world.
Tigers fans are advised to buy a recently released autobiography of Denny McLain, the team's 31-game winner in 1968. It tells the story of his climb and fall graphically, although McLain has never lost the knack for blaming others for his troubles.
Hard to imagine any pitcher winning 31 in a season again. In his final victory of 1968, McLain grooved a pitch to Mickey Mantle, which the Mick clobbered for home run No. 535, breaking a tie with Jimmie Foxx (Mantle added another off Jim Lonborg, meaning his final two homers came off Cy Young Award winners).
Duke is going about his business nicely and Pirates fans have reason to be encouraged. Through 4 1/2 innings, the Pirates are ahead 7-1