Editor’s note: The 1970 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.
OAKLAND – The California Angels pounded out 15 hits on the way to a 9-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
With the win, the Angels will visit the Minnesota Twins as the teams play for the American League West Championship of the 1970 Strat-O-Matic Tournament.
California gained control early with a run in the first and two more in the third against Oakland starter Chuck Dobson. Sandy Alomar walked to begin the affair in the top of the first. After stealing second and Dobson recording two outs, Alex Johnson doubled to bring home the first tally for the Angels.
In the third, Roger Repoz doubled with one out and Jim Fregosi singled to make it 2-0. Johnson and Jim Spencer followed with singles that loaded the bases. Ken McMullin hit what appeared to be an inning-ending double play to Oakland’s Dick Green at second, but after his throw to Bert Campaneris forced out Spencer, the relay to Don Mincher at first was late as Fregosi scored to put the Angels up by three.
Mincher’s two-run homer in the fourth cut the deficit to just a run for the A’s. After a single by Felipe Alou, he was left stranded at second thanks to ground outs by Dave Duncan and Green.
The Angels broke the game open as they scored six times in the seventh and eighth innings.
Johnson slammed a three-run bomb in the seventh that finished the day for Dobson.
Paul Linblad took over on the mound for the A’s kept the Angels from adding to their advantage.
Bob Locker replaced Linblad to begin the eighth, but the Angels were rolling offensively. Repoz had a RBI double and he come home on a two-bagger by Fregosi. The final run came on a ground out by Spencer. Jim Roland came on for the A’s to get the last out.
Angels starter Tom Murphy was cruising along until the ninth when an error and walk led to a two-run double by Rick Monday. Although there were two outs, Angels manager Lefty Phillips didn’t want to risk having the right-handed Murphy pitch to left-handed hitting Reggie Jackson. Dave LaRoche used his left arm to fan the slugger ending the game as the Angels punched their ticket to the next round.
1970 Tournament Division Championships
American League East
(2) New York Yankees at (1) Baltimore Orioles
National League East
(5) Philadelphia Phillies at (3) New York Mets
National League West
(4) Houston Astros at (2) Los Angeles Dodgers
American League West
(3) California Angels at (1) Minnesota Twins
1970 Tournament Second Round Divisional Results
American League East
(1) Baltimore Orioles 3, (4) Detroit Tigers 2
(2) New York Yankees 5, (6) Washington Senators 2
National League East
(5) Philadelphia Phillies 5, (1) Pittsburgh Pirates 3
(3) New York Mets 3, (2) Chicago Cubs 1
National League West
(4) Houston Astros 8, (1) Cincinnati Reds 4
(2) Los Angeles Dodgers 4, (6) San Diego Padres 3
American League West
(1) Minnesota Twins 2, (5) Milwaukee Brewers 0
(3) California Angels 9, (2) Oakland Athletics 4
1970 Tournament First Round Divisional Results
American League East
(1) Baltimore Orioles (108-54), bye
(4) Detroit Tigers 7, (5) Cleveland Indians 6
(6) Washington Senators 5, (3) Boston Red Sox 2
(2) New York Yankees (93-69), bye
National League East
(1) Pittsburgh Pirates (89-73), bye
(5) Philadelphia Phillies 1, (4) St. Louis Cardinals 0
(3) New York Mets 10, (6) Montreal Expos 4
(2) Chicago Cubs (84-78), bye
National League West
(1) Cincinnati Reds (102-60), Bye
(4) Houston Astros 1, (5) Atlanta Braves 0
(6) San Diego Padres 5, (3) San Francisco Giants 2
(2) Los Angeles Dodgers (87-77), bye
American League West
(1) Minnesota Twins (98-64), bye
(5) Milwaukee Brewers 3, (4) Kansas City Royals 2
(3) California Angels 4, (6) Chicago White Sox 1
(2) Oakland Athletics (89-73), bye