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.
CINCINNATI – Houston surprised the Cincinnati Reds as the Astros posted an 8-4 victory in Riverfront Stadium.
With the win, the Astros will now face the either the San Diego Padres or Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West Championship of the 1970 Strat-O-Matic Tournament.
The Reds grabbed a 2-0 advantage early in the affair against Houston starter Jack Billingham. Bobby Tolan homered in the first and then added a RBI double in the second.
In the top of the third against Reds starter Gary Nolan, the Astros tied the contest at 2-2 on a sacrifice fly by Denis Menke and a run-scoring single by Doug Rader.
The Astros took control of the match-up with four runs in the top of the fourth. Jim Wynn smacked a two-run single. After Bob Watson‘s single made it 5-2, Pedro Borbon took over on the mound for Nolan. Menke’s second sacrifice fly of the game put the Astros in front 6-2.
Cincinnati was able to respond in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Reds deficit in half. Tony Perez knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice before Johnny Bench made 6-4 with a single.
In the eighth, the Reds attempted a comeback but it didn’t work out. With one out Pete Rose singled and Tolan walked as Billingham’s day ended. Fred Gladding gave up an infield single to Perez, which loaded the bases. Unfortunately, Bench grounded into an inning ending double play.
Wayne Granger went to the mound for the Reds in the top of the ninth replacing Don Gullett, who had worked three scoreless innings to give the Reds hope. The Astros had a different plan as they put the game away adding an unearned run and a sacrifice fly by Cesar Cedeno.
Billingham (1-0) picked up the win as he left with one out in the eighth allowing four runs on 11 hits with nine strikeouts and four walks. Gladding earned a save as shut the Reds down getting the final five outs.
Nolan (0-1) took the loss as he gave up six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
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
1970 Tournament Second Round Divisional Pairings and 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
(6) San Diego Padres at (2) Los Angeles Dodgers
American League West
(5) Milwaukee Brewers at (1) Minnesota Twins
(3) California Angels at (2) Oakland Athletics
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