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.
Catfish Hunter was nearly perfect, but and errant pitch and one swing kept that from happening as the 1972 Oakland A’s beat the 1977 Kansas City Royals 3-1 in the opening round of the 1970s Diamond Gems Tournament.
After retiring 18 straight batters, Hunter hit George Brett to lead off the top of the seventh. Hunter managed to get out of the frame, while still facing the minimum amount of hitters when Al Cowens grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Hunter got the next five Royals before pinch-hitter Tom Poquette stepped to the plate with two outs in the ninth.
Poquette’s solo homer ruined the moment for Hunter, who was still inline for a no-hitter. Hunter was able to fight through the disappointment as Brett hit a fly ball to finish the contest.
With the win, the A’s will host the winner of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1970 Minnesota Twins game in the second round.
In his one-hit effort, Hunter didn’t walk a batter as he fanned four.
The A’s scored all of their runs off Royals starter Dennis Leonard (0-1), who gave up six hits with three walks with four strikeouts in five innings.
Marty Pattin worked the final three innings for Kansas City as he gave up two hits.
Mike Epstein drilled a solo homer leading off the fourth for Oakland, while Tim Cullen added a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
Oakland’s final tally was in the fifth as Gene Tenace singled to drive in the run.
1970s Diamond Gems Tournament
Second Round Schedule
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers at 1979 Montreal Expos
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1975 Cincinnati Reds
1979 Baltimore Orioles at 1975 Boston Red Sox
First Round Results and Schedule
1979 Montreal Expos 5, 1970 Baltimore Orioles 0
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 5, 1978 Boston Red Sox 1
1975 Cincinnati Reds 3, 1976 Philadelphia Phillies 2
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 13, 1978 New York Yankees 7
1979 Baltimore Orioles 4, 1972 Cincinnati Reds 3
1975 Boston Red Sox 2, 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers 1
1972 Oakland A’s 3, 1977 Kansas City Royals 1
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1970 Minnesota Twins