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.
Roger Craig tossed a complete game as the 1962 New York Mets beat the 2002 Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 in the opening round of the 100-Loss Tournament.
Home run power helped the Mets jump out to a 3-0 lead early in the affair in Miller Park. Frank Thomas led off the second inning with a solo shot against Milwaukee starter Ben Sheets. Later in the frame, Choo-Choo Coleman‘s RBI single put the Mets on top 2-0.
Jim Hickman‘s solo homer in the third added to New York’s margin. Milwaukee’s Alex Sanchez drilled a homer with one out in the bottom of the third to make it 3-1.
The Mets picked up another run in the top of the fourth when Coleman beat out what appeared to be a double play ball as Gil Hodges raced to the plate from third base.
Charlie Neal touched up Sheets with a homer for New York’s final run in the sixth.
Milwaukee added its final runs on a sacrifice fly by Robert Machado in the seventh and a solo homer in the eighth by Jose Hernandez.
Craig allowed eight hits with a pair of walks and eight strikeouts in the win. Sheets worked six innings giving up eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Jayson Durocher went the final three innings surrendering two hits with three walks and a strikeout.
100-Loss Tournament
First Round Schedule and Results
1948 White Sox 5, 1988 Orioles 2
2006 Devil Rays 4, 1975 Tigers 2 (10)
1955 Senators 4, 1988 Braves 3
1977 Blue Jays 5, 2012 Cubs 4
1962 Mets 5, 2002 Brewers 3
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)