Editor’s note: The 1970 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams from 1973-79 when games are played at home. 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.
Andy Messersmith mav have lost his shutout, but he will take the win as the 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers beat the 1978 Boston Red Sox 5-1 in the 1970s Diamond Gems Tournament.
Next up for the Dodgers is a visit to the 1979 Montreal Expos for contest in the second round.
A RBI single by Butch Hobson spoiled Messersmith’s day as he gave up three of the seven hits he allowed in the bottom of the ninth. Messersmith (1-0) finished with six strikeouts and three walks.
The Dodgers picked up a run in the top of the first against Boston starter Dennis Eckersley as Steve Garvey had RBI single that scored Bill Buckner, who had four hits.
Willie Crawford drove in the second run for the Dodgers with a single in the third.
In the sixth, a sacrifice fly by Bill Russell brought home an unearned run and it was 3-0.
Los Angeles added two more unearned runs in the eighth on a RBI single by Russell and a sacrifice fly by Davey Lopes off Bob Stanley.
Eckersley (0-1) surrendered 11 hits by the time he left the mound with one out in the eighth. Although Stanley was not charged with any runs, he gave up two hits as he finished the eighth. Dave Campbell worked a perfect ninth, but the Red Sox were too far behind to comeback.
1970s Diamond Gems Tournament
Second Round Schedule
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers at 1979 Montreal Expos
First Round Results and Schedule
1979 Montreal Expos 5, 1970 Baltimore Orioles 0
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 5, 1978 Boston Red Sox 1
1976 Philadelphia Phillies at 1975 Cincinnati Reds
1978 New York Yankees at 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
1972 Cincinnati Reds at 1979 Baltimore Orioles
1975 Boston Red Sox at 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers
1977 Kansas City Royals at 1972 Oakland A’s
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1970 Minnesota Twins