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.
Cleveland pitcher Gene Bearden kept his team alive as the Indians posted a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs to even the opening round best of three series between the two clubs in the 1948 Tournament.
Bearden (1-0) gave up seven hits with four strikeouts in his complete game effort as the Indians produced just enough offense for the win.
The contest was scoreless until the top of the fourth when the Indians took a 2-0 lead against Cubs starter Russ Meyer (0-1), who would go the distance giving up seven hits with four strikeouts.
Lou Boudreau and Joe Gordon began the rally with back-to-back singles.
Ken Keltner singled to bring home Boudreau with first run as Gordon reached third. Larry Doby grounded into a double play, but Gordon was able to score.
The Cubs picked up their run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Emil Verban.
Eddie Robinson‘s solo homer leading off the ninth provided Cleveland’s last run.
Bob Feller gets the start for the Indians in the series finale, while the Cubs will go with Bob Rush.
1948 Tournament
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, Indians 3-1
(N5) New York Giants vs. (A4) Philadelphia A’s
(N3) Brooklyn Dodgers vs. (A6) St. Louis Browns
(A7) Washington Senators vs. (N2) St. Louis Cardinals
Second Round Pairings
(N1) Boston Braves vs. (A5) Detroit Tigers
(N6) Philadelphia Phillies vs. (A2) Boston Red Sox