Editor’s note: The 1990s Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any contests involving American League teams 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.
The 1993 San Francisco Giants will entertain the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies in the title contest of the 1990s Diamond Gems Tournament.
San Francisco defeated the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 as the Giants earned the right to play for the championship.
The Giants grabbed control of the affair early as they built a 4-0 advantage after three innings against Pittsburgh starter John Smiley.
Robby Thompson knocked in a run in the first, before the Giants added two more in the second. Darren Lewis had a RBI triple and the the speedy centerfielder scored on a single by Thompson. Willie McGee reached on an error in the third and came home on a single by Kirt Manwaring.
(Editor’s note: Barry Bonds played for both teams) In the fourth, Bonds had a solo shot for the Pirates before picking a run-scoring single for the Giants as San Francisco led 5-1.
Will Clark‘s sacrifice fly in the sixth added another tally for the Giants.
Both teams added runs in the eighth. Wally Backman had a RBI single for the Pirates, while pinch-hitter Todd Benzinger smacked a solo homer off Pittsburgh reliever Ted Power.
Scott Sanderson (1-0) tossed eight innings for the Giants as he gave up two runs on seven hits with a walk and eight strikeouts.
Rod Beck pitched the ninth for the Giants and he surrendered a homer to Bonds, which was the last run of the game.
Smiley (0-1) was tagged with the loss as he gave up five runs on 11 hits with a walk and three strikeouts in four innings. Stan Belinda worked three scoreless frames before Power finished up in the eighth.
1990s Diamond Gems Tournament
Championship Game
1993 Philadelphia Phillies at 1993 San Francisco Giants
Semifinals
1993 Philadelphia Phillies 2, 1990 Cincinnati Reds 1
1993 San Francisco Giants 7, 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates 3
Second Round Results
1990 Cincinnati Reds 6, 1990 Oakland A’s 4
1993 Philadelphia Phillies 7, 1992 Toronto Blue Jays 3
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates 8, 1997 Florida Marlins 7 (10)
1993 San Francisco Giants 4, 1994 Montreal Expos 3
First Round Results
1990 Cincinnati Reds 4, 1998 Houston Astros 2
1990 Oakland A’s 4, 1998 New York Yankees 3
1992 Toronto Blue Jays 5, 1997 Baltimore Orioles 1
1993 Philadelphia Phillies 8, 1996 Atlanta Braves 2
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates 8, 1998 San Diego Padres 2
1997 Florida Marlins 5, 1991 Minnesota Twins 4
1993 San Francisco Giants 2, 1996 New York Yankees 1
1994 Montreal Expos 2, 1995 Cleveland Indians 1