Editor’s note: The 1940s Diamond Gems 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.
The 1941 New York Yankees punched a ticket to the semifinals of the 1940s Diamond Gems Tournament with a 6-5 victory over the 1946 Boston Red Sox.
A RBI single by New York starting pitcher Red Ruffing gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the top of of the third.
One inning later, Boston starter Dave Ferriss got in trouble again as the New York’s Joe Gordon blasted a three-run homer as the Yankees led by four.
Boston’s offense came to life in the bottom of the third with a two-run double by Pinky Higgins and a RBI single by Hal Wagner closed the gap to 4-3.
After Ferriss allowed a RBI single in the sixth by Ruffing, his day was done before he could retire a batter in the frame. Ferris gave up five runs on nine hits with three walks. Joe Dobson was called from the Red Sox bullpen by manager Joe Cronin and he worked out of the jam without surrendering another run.
The Red Sox were able to respond in their half of the sixth with a run to make it 5-4 when Tom McBride smacked a pinch-hit solo homer.
Earl Johnson went to the mound for Boston in the seventh and he surrendered a run-scoring double to Gordon, who knocked in his fourth run of the affair to make it 6-4. Johnson would finish the contest for Boston allowing three hits with a pair of walks and four strikeouts.
With New York manager Joe McCarthy was hoping to get a complete game from Ruffing, but it wouldn’t happen as the Red Sox closed the gap to one.
Ruffing gave up three singles and a RBI on a fielder’s choice by Johnny Pesky in the bottom of the ninth as the Red Sox battled until the end.
New York closer Johnny Murphy retired Ted Williams for the final out to send the Yankees to the semifinals.
1940s Diamond Gems Tournament
Semifinals
1941 Brooklyn Dodgers at 1940 Cincinnati Reds
1948 Cleveland Indians at 1941 New York Yankees
First Round Schedule
1940 Cincinnati Reds 5, 1948 Boston Braves 2
1941 Brooklyn Dodgers 2, 1946 St. Louis Cardinals 0
1948 Cleveland Indians 4, 1940 Detroit Tigers 3 (12)
1941 New York Yankees 6, 1946 Boston Red Sox 5