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.
Six runs in the top of the ninth inning proved to be the difference for the 1938 Kansas City Monarchs in a 7-6 opening round win over the 1922 Indianapolis ABCs in the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament.
Advancing to the semifinals, Kansas City will square off against the winner of the 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes at 1931 Homestead Grays contest.
Down 5-1, the Monarchs came to life against Buckeyes pitcher Jim Jeffries sending him to the showers without retiring a batter in the ninth.
Turkey Stearns reached on an error to begin the rally. Buck O’Neil walked and Frank Duncan singled to finish off Jeffries.
Anthony Mahoney replaced the Indianapolis starter and he walked Mex Johnson with the bases loaded.
After Benny Cox lined out, Kansas City starting pitcher Hilton Smith singled to bring home a pair of runs and it was 5-4.
The ABCs were hoping for a double play to end the game, but Henry Milton beat the relay throw as Johnson raced home from third to tie the affair.
A flustered Mahoney then made a mistake to Newt Allen, who blasted a two-run homer to cap the outburst and the Monarchs led 7-5.
Ben Taylor hit what turned out to be a harmless homer in the bottom of the ninth for the ABCs off Smith, but is wasn’t enough.
Jeffries got the loss officially working eight innings giving up five hits and a walk without fanning a hitter.
For the Monarchs, Smith survived on the mound to go the distance as he surrendered 13 hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Both teams scored in the first inning with Allen driving in run with a double for the Monarchs before Oscar Charleston had a RBI triple for the ABCs.
Biz Mackey gave Indianapolis a 2-1 lead in the fourth with a sacrifice fly.
The ABCs added to their advantage in the sixth as Connie Day drilled a three-run homer to set the stage for Kansas City’s comeback in the ninth.
Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament
Semifinals
1924 Hilldale Athletic Club at 1916 Chicago American Giants
1938 Kansas City Monarchs vs. TBA
First Round
1916 Chicago American Giants 7, 1936 Pittsburgh Crawfords 5
1924 Hilldale Athletic Club 4, 1944 Birmingham Black Barons 3
1938 Kansas City Monarchs 7, 1922 Indianapolis ABCs 6
1945 Cleveland Buckeyes at 1931 Homestead Grays