Editor’s note: The 1980 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. 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 final contest of the opening round of the 1980s Diamond Gems Tournament proved to be the highest scoring affair so far in the single elimination event.
The 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers scored six times in the first inning on the way to a 12-6 victory over the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers.
Next up for the Dodgers is a home game against the 1983 Chicago White Sox in the second round.
Milwaukee got off to a quick start against Los Angeles pitcher Fernando Valenzuela as Paul Molitor tripled and then scored on single by Cecil Cooper.
However, the Dodgers responded in their half of the frame as Milwaukee starter Pete Vuckovich left the mound after faciing nine batters and retiring just one.
Dusty Baker tied the game with a single before Steve Garvey hammered a two-run homer that gave the the Dodgers the lead.
The day for Vuckovich ended as he walked Mike Scioscia and Bill Russell with the bases loaded to force in two runs.
Jim Slaton came out of the bullpen for the Brewers and he was greeted by a RBI single by Davey Lopes, who was the struck out by Vuckovich to begin the game.
Both teams added runs in the fifth as the Dodgers built a 10-3 advantage.
Jim Gantner had a two-run single for the Brewers, while the Dodgers scored four times with three coming against Slaton.
Garvey reached on a error to begin the outburst. Rick Monday singled and Pedro Guerrero added a RBI double that finished Slaton.
Pete Ladd went to the mound for the Brewers and Scioscia drilled a three-run bomb that capped the inning.
Valenzuela was sent to the showers in the sixth inning after he gave up a pair of long balls. Gorman Thomas smacked a two-run homer and Ben Oglivie added a solo shot.
At that point, Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda called Dave Stewart out of the bullpen to help preserve the win for Valenzuela.
Stewart answered the call and went the rest of the way to earn a save as he retired the final 11 batters with three strikeouts.
A homer by Guerrero in the seventh off Ladd provided the final two runs for the Dodgers.
Second Round Schedule
(16) 1986 Houston Astros at (9) 1985 St. Louis Cardinals
(12) 1981 New York Yankees at (4) 1983 Baltimore Orioles
(15) 1984 Chicago Cubs at (10) 1986 Boston Red Sox
(14) 1983 Chicago White Sox at (6) 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers
First Round Schedule and Results
(16) 1986 Houston Astros 5, (1) 1986 New York Mets 3
(9) 1985 St. Louis Cardinals 4, (8) 1987 Minnesota Twins 2
(4) 1983 Baltimore Orioles 2, (13) 1985 Toronto Blue Jays 1
(12) 1981 New York Yankees 5, (5) 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers 3 (11)
(15) 1984 Chicago Cubs 7, (2) 1984 Detroit Tigers 2
(10) 1986 Boston Red Sox 5, (7) 1985 Kansas City Royals 1
(14) 1983 Chicago White Sox 4, (3) 1989 Oakland A’s 2
(6) 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers 12, (11) 1982 Milwaukee Brewers 6