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.
ST. LOUIS – A run-scoring single in the second inning turned out to be the difference as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 in the first round of the 1970 Strat-O-Matic Tournament.
Philadelphia’s Deron Johnson led off the second with a triple off Cardinals starter Bob Gibson and John Briggs knocked in what turned out to be the game-winning run with a single. Gibson would end up going the distance allowing eight hits with 10 strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Phillies pitchers Rick Wise and Dick Selma combined to blank the Cardinals. Wise worked seven frames giving up six hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals squandered an opportunity that Wise sent to the showers after Gibson reached on an error and then raced to third on a Lou Brock single.
Selma was called from the bullpen by Phillies manager Frank Lucchesi. Julian Javier and Joe Hague both lined out, which allowed Selma to intentionally walk Dick Allen before Joe Torre hit a routine fly ball that ended to rally.
Back-to-back singles by Jose Cardenal and Ted Simmons put runners at first and third. Selma responded by fanning Dal Maxvill and pinch-hitter Leron Lee. Brock’s harmless grounder back to Selma silenced the Busch Stadium faithful.
The Phillies advance to the next round as they head to Pittsburgh.
1970 Tournament Second Round Divisional Pairings
American League East
(4) Detroit Tigers at (1) Baltimore Orioles
(6) Washington Senators at (2) New York Yankees
National League East
(5) Philadelphia Phillies at (1) Pittsburgh Pirates
1970 Tournament First Round Divisional Pairings and 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
(6) Montreal Expos (73-89) at (3) New York Mets (83-79)
(2) Chicago Cubs (84-78), bye
National League West
(1) Cincinnati Reds (102-60), Bye
(5) Atlanta Braves (76-86) at (4) Houston Astros (73-89)
(6) San Diego Padres (63-99) at (3) San Francisco Giants (86-76)
(2) Los Angeles Dodgers (87-77), bye
American League West
(1) Minnesota Twins (98-64), bye
(5) Milwaukee Brewers (65-97) at (4) Kansas City Royals (65-97)
(6) Chicago White Sox (56-106) at (3) California Angels (86-76)
(2) Oakland Athletics (89-73), bye