Editor’s note: The 1990 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.
A determined Dave Stewart held off the the 1998 New York Yankees as the pitcher went the distance to lead the 1990 Oakland A’s to a 4-3 victory in the opening round of the 1990s Diamond Gems Tournament.
With their win, the A’s are set to travel to the 1990 Cincinnati Reds for a contest in the second round.
Stewart (1-0) limited the Yankees to three hits as he fanned 11, but it was two of his four walks that caused the biggest problem for the A’s starter.
New York starter David Cone helped the A’s in the third as he walked Ron Hassey and Walt Weiss with the bases loaded to give Oakland a 2-0 advantage.
In the fifth, Stewart return the favor as he issued free passes to Darryl Strawberry and Tino Martinez to begin the inning.
Chad Curtis followed with a single and Jorge Posada‘s sacrifice fly cut New York’s deficit in half.
After Stewart struck out Scott Brosius for the second out, Chuck Knoblauch was hit by a pitch that jammed the bases. Derek Jeter gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead with a double that knocked home two runs.
However, the A’s answered quickly in the bottom of the sixth.
Dave Henderson singled with one out before Cone made a mistake pitch and Mark McGwire drilled a two-run homer and the A’s took the lead for good.
Cone (0-1) was tagged with the loss as he left the mound in the eighth with two outs after Rickey Henderson singled and swiped second.
Mariano Rivera came on to get the final out to send the game to the nighth, but Stewart put the Yankees away with a perfect inning.
1990s Diamond Gems Tournament
First Round Schedule and Results
1990 Cincinnati Reds 4, 1998 Houston Astros 2
1990 Oakland A’s 4, 1998 New York Yankees 3
1997 Baltimore Orioles at 1992 Toronto Blue Jays
1993 Philadelphia Phillies at 1996 Atlanta Braves
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1998 San Diego Padres
1997 Florida Marlins at 1991 Minnesota Twins
1996 New York Yankees at 1993 San Francisco Giants
1995 Cleveland Indians at 1994 Montreal Expos