Editor’s note: The Reds Decade Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation that starts over with each best-of-three game series. If a real life starter is not in the rotation, he can be used in relief. Cincinnati squads that did not made the post-season are featured in this event as one team from each decade from the 1910s to the 1980s were selected.
One inning made the difference for the 1977 Cincinnati Reds on the way to a 3-0 win over the 1924 Cincinnati Reds in the opener of the championship series of the Reds Decade Tournament.
The 1977 squad scored all three runs in the fourth inning against 1924 starter Eppa Rixey.
With one out, Ken Griffey walked and was forced at second as Joe Morgan hit into a fielder’s choice.
After Morgan swiped second, Johnny Bench singled and the 1977 team led 1-0.
George Foster and Dan Driessen both followed with singles to load the bases before Dave Concepcion singled to drive in two more runs.
Tom Seaver (3-0) needed a little help from Pedro Borbon to earn the victory for the 1977 team as he got in trouble in the top of the ninth.
A solo homer by Jake Daubert with one out produced the only run of the contest for the 1924 team.
Edd Roush reached on an error and then Curt Walker singled to end the day for Seaver.
Borbon induced Rube Bressler to hit into a double play that closed out the victory giving the 1977 team a one game edge in the best of three series for the title.
Seaver gave up five hits with a walk and six strikeouts, while Rixey (1-2) surrendered seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts in eight innings. Pedro Dibut tossed a perfect ninth for the 1924 squad.
In game two of the championship series, the 1977 team will have Fred Norman (0-1) on the mound as Carl Mays (1-0) gets the start for the 1924 team.
Championship Series
(Best two out of three)
1924 Reds vs. 1977 Reds (1-3, 1977 Leads Series 1-0)
Second Round Results
(Best two out of three)
1911 Reds vs. 1977 Reds (2-6, 2-1, 0-6, 1977 Wins Series 2-1)
1924 Reds vs. 1948 Reds (4-5, 6-5 (11), 4-0, 1924 Wins Series 2-1)
First Round Results
(Best two out of three)
1911 Reds vs. 1955 Reds (5-4, 6-4, 1911 Wins 2-0)
1934 Reds vs. 1977 Reds (3-7, 6-5, 1977 Wins 2-0)
1948 Reds vs. 1986 Reds (5-1, 8-3, 1948 Wins 2-0)
1924 Reds vs. 1964 Reds (3-2 (10), 3-0, 1924 Wins 2-0)