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.
It took 14 innings at Great American Ballpark, the 1981 San Diego Padres were able to outlast the 2022 Cincinnati Reds in the final contest of the opening round of the 100-Loss Tournament.
A pair of errors cost the Reds in the top of the 14th. With one out, Ozzie Smith and Juan Bonilla both reached base for San Diego against Reds reliever Connor Overton to set the stage for the Padres. After Gene Richards popped out, Ruppert Jones smashed a double to right scoring both Smith and Bonilla. Jeff Hoffman retired Barry Evans on a grounder to end the inning.
Cincinnati fought back in its half of the 14th, but the Reds came up a run short. Jonathan India singled with one out and then moved to third on a double by Tyler Stephenson. Kyle Farmer‘s infield single scored India and ended the day for Danny Boone. John Littlefield got Jake Fraley to pop out as he picked up the save.
The Padres grabbed an early advantage with a pair of runs in the top of the first against Red starter Luis Castillo. Richards had a RBI single and Terry Kennedy knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice. Luis Salazar‘s solo homer in the second made it 3-0.
The Reds scored twice in the second inning against San Diego starter Juan Eichelberger as Stephenson homered and TJ Friedl scored on the first of five San Diego errors.
San Diego’s Joe Lefebvre drilled a solo homer in the sixth to make it 4-2.
The Reds tied the contest with runs in the seventh and eighth. Donovan Solano knocked in the first tally and then Joey Votto tagged a solo homer to make it 4-4.
Eichelberger worked seven innings giving up four runs on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Gary Lucas tossed three scoreless frames with four strikeouts. John Urrea got the win as he fanned five in three innings.
For the Reds, Castillo went nine innings surrendering eight hits with four walks and nine strikeouts. Alexis Diaz gave up a hit and had a strikeout in his two innings before giving way to Overton and Hoffman.
100-Loss Tournament
Second Round Schedule
2006 Devil Rays at 1948 White Sox
1955 Senators at 1977 Blue Jays
2012 Astros at 1962 Mets
1969 Expos at 1981 Padres
First Round 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 5, 2012 Cubs 4
1962 Mets 5 at 2002 Brewers 3
2012 Astros 2, 1980 Mariners 1
1969 Expos 4, 2006 Royals 2
1981 Padres 6, 2022 Reds 5 (14)