Editor’s note: The 100-Loss Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
A power surge helped the 1948 Chicago White Sox to a 5-2 victory over the 1988 Baltimore Orioles in the opening round of the 100-Loss Tournament.
Chicago’s Don Kolloway blasted a two-run homer in the top of the fifth off Baltimore starter Jose Bautista silencing the raucous Memorial Stadium crowd. Dave Philley followed with a solo shot and the White Sox led 3-0.
The White Sox sent Bautista to the showers in the sixth as Ralph Hodgin led off with a walk before catcher Aaron Robinson smashed a ball to centerfield for a RBI triple to make it 4-0 before Joe Orsulak could track it down. Dave Schmidt took over on the mound for the Orioles retiring three straight to end the frame.
Baltimore cut its deficit in half against Chicago starter Randy Gumpert in the bottom of the sixth.
Cal Ripken Jr. led off with a walk and then Eddie Murray doubled. Jim Traber‘s sacrifice fly brought home the first run before Mickey Tettleton‘s RBI single made it 4-2.
Robinson’s run-scoring single in the eighth off Schmidt provided Chicago’s final tally.
Gumpert went the distance for the White Sox allowing seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
Bautista was tagged with the loss as he left with no outs in the six after surrendering four runs on eight hits with four walks and a strikeout. Schmidt left with one out in the eighth as he gave up a run on three hits. Doug Sisk finished the contest for Baltimore getting five outs and not allowing a base runner.
100-Loss Tournament
First Round Schedule and Results
1948 White Sox 5, 1988 Orioles 2
1975 Tigers (57-102) at 2006 Devil Rays (61-101)
1955 Senators (53-101) at 1988 Braves (54-106)
1977 Blue Jays (54-107) at 2012 Cubs (61-101)
1962 Mets (40-120) at 2002 Brewers (56-106)
1980 Mariners (59-103) at 2012 Astros (55-107)
1969 Expos (52-110) at 2006 Royals (62-100)
1981 Padres (41-69) at 2022 Reds (62-100)