Editor’s note: The games in the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will not be used for any games. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
The opening round of the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems B Tournament is complete after the 1949 Baltimore Elite Giants beat the 1934 Philadelphia Stars 9-2.
Baltimore broke open a scoreless affair in the top of the fifth as the Elite Giants added four runs against Philadelphia starter Slim Jones.
Pitcher Bill Byrd double home the first tally for Baltimore before the next two runs scored on a Philadelphia error. Tommy Butts capped the outburst with a RBI single.
Jones (0-1) was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the inning and Lefty Holmes took over on the mound in the sixth as Baltimore continued to add runs.
Butch McCord had a two-run triple and then scored on a ground out by Johnny Hayes.
In the seventh, the Elite Giants scored their final two runs against Holmes as Butch Davis knocked in both with a triple to make it 9-0. Phil Cockrell tossed two scoreless frames to finish the contest for the Stars.
Philadelphia got a run in the seventh and another in the eighth against Byrd (1-0), who would allow 11 hits with a walk and three strikeouts in his complete game effort.
Negro Leagues Diamond Gems B Tournament
Semifinals
1942 Kansas City Monarchs at 1935 New York Cubans
1949 Baltimore Elite Giants at 1943 Homestead Grays
First Round Results
1935 New York Cubans 3, 1920 Detroit Stars 2
1942 Kansas City Monarchs 4, 1933 Indianapolis American Giants 2
1943 Homestead Grays 5, 1928 St. Louis Stars 1
1949 Baltimore Elite Giants 9, 1934 Philadelphia Stars 2