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.
CHICAGO – Jerry Koosman may have needed a little help, but he got the job done as the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in Wrigley Field to advance to the National League East Championship of the 1970 Strat-O-Matic Tournament.
The Mets will entertain the Philadelphia Phillies in the next round at Shea Stadium.
With just one more out to record, a tired Koosman gave up a single to Joe Pepitone before walking Jim Hickman. Mets manager Gil Hodges called Ron Taylor from the bullpen and he induced Ron Santo to ground out to earn a save.
Koosman (1-0) gave up an unearned run in the third when Cubs starting pitcher Fergie Jenkins reached base on an error by Mets right fielder Art Shamsky to lead-off the frame. With two outs Billy Williams knocked in Jenkins with a double that tied the affair at 1-1. Koosman allowed five hits with a walk and a strikeout.
New York grabbed an early advantage in the second inning on back-to-back doubles by Jerry Grote and Ken Boswell. The Mets took a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Bud Harrelson and a RBI double by Koosman.
Jenkins (0-1) took the loss as he surrendered three runs on 12 hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. Larry Gura finished up for the Cubs with a perfect ninth inning.
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 at (1) Cincinnati Reds
(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