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.
LOS ANGELES – Houston punched its ticket to the semifinals in the 1970 Strat-O-Matic Tournament as the Astros won 6-5 over Los Angeles in the National League West Championship in Dodger Stadium.
With the upset, the Astros are set to visit the winner of the American League West Championship game featuring the California Angels at the Minnesota Twins.
The Astros worked their way to a 3-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the third when the Dodgers came to life with three run to tie the affair.
Bob Watson hit a solo homer in the second off Los Angeles starter Claude Osteen. One frame later Denis Menke‘s two-run double over the head of Dodgers centerfielder Willie Davis put the Astros up by three.
Los Angeles tagged Houston starter Don Wilson as Davis drove in a pair of runs with a double before he scored to tie it at 3-3 on a single by Wes Parker.
In the top of the fourth the Astros had a quick answer. Cesar Cedeno led off with a single and then stole second, which enabled him to race home on a single by Johnny Edwards. The Astros added another tally in the fifth as Jim Wynn scored on a ground out by Menke.
The Dodgers picked up an unearned run in eth sixth as Bill Russell scored when Maury Wills reached first on an error by Watson. Watson redeemed himself after defensive miscue as he had a RBI double off Pete Mikkelsen who took over for Osteen in the seventh as Jesus Alou scored to make it 6-4.
Mikkelsen worked the eighth with Jim Brewer tossing a scoreless ninth to give the Dodgers a chance.
Wilson’s opportunity for a complete game for Houston went away in the bottom of the ninth as he walked Wills, who promptly swiped second and then scored on a single by Manny Mota.
Fred Gladding was called to the mound from the Houston bullpen and he was able to shut the door on the Dodgers and earn a save.
Wilson (1-0) allowed all of the runs by the Dodgers giving up nine hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Osteen (0-1) went six frames surrendering five runs on seven hits with two walks.
1970 Tournament Semifinals
(5) Philadelphia Phillies at (2) New York Yankees
1970 Tournament Division Championships
American League East
(2) New York Yankees 1, (1) Baltimore Orioles 0
National League East
(5) Philadelphia Phillies 7, (3) New York Mets 2
National League West
(4) Houston Astros 6, (2) Los Angeles Dodgers 5
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