Editor’s note: The 100-Loss 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 using the best lineups available.
The 1955 Washington Senators jumped out to an early advantage in the opening round of the 100-Loss Tournament before hanging on for a 4-3 victory over the 1988 Atlanta Braves.
Washington scored all of its runs in the second inning off Braves starter Rick Mahler.
Carlos Paula began the scoring with a RBI single that was followed by Clint Courtney‘s double that knocked in a run. Ernie Oravetz made it 3-0 with a run-scoring single. Pete Runnels ended the rally with a sacrifice fly.
Johnny Schmitz blanked the Braves through six frames before the Braves scored six times in the bottom of the seventh. Jeff Blauser‘s triple drove in a pair of runs, while Ron Gant‘s RBI single got the Braves to within one.
In the ninth, the Braves threatened but fell short. Schmitz walked Ozzie Virgil before Dion James singled.
After pacing in the dugout, Washington manager Chuck Dressen called Pedro Ramos from the bullpen to stop the rally. Ramos got Blauser to pop out before Gant was retired on a line drive to end it.
Schmitz earned the victory allowing nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Ramos picked up a save.
Mahler went the distance for the Braves giving up eight hits with only two after the second frame. He walked one and fanned one.
100-Loss Tournament
First Round Schedule and Results
1948 White Sox 5, 1988 Orioles 2
2006 Devil Rays 4, 1975 Tigers 2 (10)
1955 Senators 4, 1988 Braves 3
1977 Blue Jays (54-107) at 2012 Cubs (61-101)
1962 Mets (40-120) at 2002 Brewers (56-106)
1980 Mariners (59-103) at 2012 Astros (55-107)
1969 Expos (52-110) at 2006 Royals (62-100)
1981 Padres (41-69) at 2022 Reds (62-100)