1948 Tournament: Dodgers at Cardinals G1

Editor’s note: The 1948 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 first and second round series will be the best two of three games. The semifinals are best of five, while the championship series is the best of seven.

A pair of home runs made the difference for St. Louis as the Cardinals defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 5-4 in the opener of a second round series in the 1948 Tournament.

The victory give the Cardinals the opportunity to sweep the best two of three series as Harry Brecheen (1-0) gets the ball in the game two for St. Louis, while the Dodgers counter with Preacher Roe (1-0).

St. Louis starter Murry Dickson (1-0) was able to scatter nine hits as he was able to hang on for the complete game victory.

Dodgers starter Ralph Branca (0-1) gave up just six hits, but four of them game in one inning.

The Dodgers grabbed an early lead as Gene Hermanski drilled a two-run homer in the top of the first inning.

Brooklyn’s advantage lasted until the third when St. Louis put together what turned out to be a decisive frame as the Cardinals scored five times.

Ron Northey began the rally with a single, but Branca was able to retire Don Lang and Del Rice. However, Red Schoendienst singled before Marty Marion walked to load the bases.

Enos Slaughter didn’t let the suspense last very long as he smashed a grand slam giving the Cardinals the lead. Stan Musial capped the outburst with a solo shot and it was 5-2.

A RBI single by Spider Jorgensen in the fourth and a sacrifice fly from Gil Hodges was all of the offense the Dodgers could muster the rest of the way against Dickson as the Cardinals held on for the victory.

1948 Tournament

Second Round Pairings and Results

(N1) Boston Braves vs. (A5) Detroit Tigers, Braves 15-6, 9-2
(N6) Philadelphia Phillies vs. (A2) Boston Red Sox, Phillies 11-3, 4-3
(N8) Chicago Cubs vs (N5) New York Giants, Cubs 5-2, 3-0
(N3) Brooklyn Dodgers vs. (N2) St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals 5-4

First Round Pairings and Results

(N1) Boston Braves vs. (A8) Chicago White Sox, Braves 12-4, 5-0
(A5) Detroit Tigers vs. (N4) Pittsburgh Pirates, Tigers 11-4, 1-0
(A3) New York Yankees vs. (N6) Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies 6-2, 5-2
(N7) Cincinnati Reds vs. (A2) Boston Red Sox, Red Sox 20-1, 3-4, 9-5
(A1) Cleveland Indians vs. (N8) Chicago Cubs, Cubs 4-0, 1-3, 11-0
(N5) New York Giants vs. (A4) Philadelphia A’s, Giants 5-2, 6-1
(N3) Brooklyn Dodgers vs. (A6) St. Louis Browns, Dodgers 5-0, 6-3
(A7) Washington Senators vs. (N2) St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals 3-0, 5-4