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.
BOSTON – Frank Howard conquered the Green Monster in Fenway Park as he led the Washington Senators to a 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 1970 Strat-O-Matic Tournament.
With the win, Washington advances to the second round as the Senators will travel to meet the New York Yankees.
Howard’s onslaught began in the top of the first as he punished a pitch from Boston starter Ray Culp that eventually found Lansdowne Street.
After Boston tied the affair in the bottom of the second against Washington starter Dick Bosman on back-to-back doubles by George Scott and Billy Conigliaro, Howard smacked a two-bagger off the Green Monster that produced a pair runs giving the Senators a 3-1 advantage.
Boston’s Mike Andrews lifted his own shot over the wall in left field to cut the Red Sox deficit to a run, but it proved to be the finally tally for the home team.
In the fifth, Washington added another run as Howard reached on a error by Andrews that allowed Ed Brinkman to cross the plate to make it 4-2. Howard capped his day with a RBI single in the seventh.
Bosman (1-0) went the distance for the Senators allowing two runs on eight hits with a six strikeouts and a walk. Culp (0-1) worked seven innings surrendering five hits with three of them to Howard as gave up five runs with only two being earned. He fanned six and walked three. Ken Brett tossed the final two frames for Boston allowing one hit with two strikeouts.
1970 Tournament Second Round Divisional Pairings
American League East
(4) Detroit Tigers at (1) Baltimore Orioles
(6) Washington Senators at (2) New York Yankees
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 (73-88) at (4) St. Louis Cardinals (76-86)
(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