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.
Four runs in the eighth inning proved to be the difference for the 1975 Boston Red Sox in a 6-5 victory over the 1979 Baltimore Orioles in the second round of the 1970s Diamond Gems Tournament.
The Red Sox will travel to meet the winner of the 1970 Minnesota Twins at 1972 Oakland A’s contest in the semifinals.
Trailing 4-2 against Baltimore starter Dennis Martinez, the first three batters of the frame reached base to begin the rally.
Denny Doyle led off with a single before Carl Yastrzemski doubled. With one swing, Jim Rice tied it as he drove in a pair of runs with a double.
After Baltimore reliever Tim Stoddard walked Carlton Fisk, Cecil Cooper doubled to score Rice. Fisk came home with the final tally as catcher Rick Dempsey was charged with a passed ball.
Boston pitcher Jim Willoughby finished off the top of the eighth inning by getting Rich Dauer to hit into a double play.
However in the ninth, Willoughby got into trouble as Al Bumbry singled and stole second with one out.
Kiko Garcia was retired before Ken Singleton doubled to score Bumbry to cut Baltimore’s deficit to a run. Eddie Murray followed with a double to put runners on second and third.
Red Sox manager Darrell Johnson called Roger Moret from the bullpen to face John Lowenstein. However, Baltimore manager Earl Weaver countered with Gary Roenicke as a pinch-hitter.
Moret won the battle to record a save as Roenicke grounded out to end the contest.
Although he allowed a run and three hits, Willoughby (1-0) was the winner for the Red Sox in relief of starter Rick Wise. Wise left with one out in the seventh after giving up four runs on six hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
Martinez (0-1) was tagged with the loss as he surrendered five runs on seven hits with three walks and a strikeout.
The Orioles got on the scoreboard early as Doug DeCinces blasted a solo homer in the second, while Lowenstein added a RBI double in the third.
Fred Lynn drilled a two-run homer for Boston the bottom of the fifth.
The lead didn’t last as Lowenstein smacked a solo shot to give the Orioles a 3-2 advantage. Lowenstein wasn’t done as he hammered another solo homer in the eighth as Baltimore led 4-2.
1970s Diamond Gems Tournament
Semifinals
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers at 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
Second Round Schedule and Results
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 5, 1979 Montreal Expos 0
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 6, 1975 Cincinnati Reds 5 (12)
1975 Boston Red Sox 6, 1979 Baltimore Orioles 5
1970 Minnesota Twins at 1972 Oakland A’s
First Round Results
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
1970 Minnesota Twins 9, 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates 5