Editor’s note: The 1950 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.
Jim Hegan‘s two-run homer in the seventh highlighted the 1954 Cleveland Indians 3-2 win over the 1957 Milwaukee Braves in the opening round of the 1950s Diamond Gems Tournament at County Stadium.
Hegan’s blast put the Indians up 3-0 as the Indians survived a scare in the bottom of the ninth to hang on for the win.
Cleveland pitcher Bob Lemon was looking for a complete game when the Braves mounted a comeback in their last time at bat.
Wes Covington led off the frame with a single. After Lemon struck out Joe Adcock, Red Schoendienst doubled to give the Braves a chance. Del Crandall‘s two-run single closed the gap to 3-2 as Lemon’s day came to an end.
Don Mossi took over for Lemon and got pinch-hitter Frank Torre to hit into a fielder’s choice before he retired Bill Bruton on a fly ball to end the threat to earn the save.
Lemon got the win as he allowed nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Braves starter Warren Spahn was tagged with the loss as he gave up four hits and all three runs with a walk and two strikeouts over eight innings. Don McMahon tossed a scoreless ninth to set up the opportunity for a rally by the Braves.
Cleveland scored its first run in the top of the fourth against Spahn on a RBI double by Bobby Avila.
1950s Diamond Gems Tournament
First Round Schedule and Results
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 8, 1950 New York Yankees 2
1954 Cleveland Indians 3, 1957 Milwaukee Braves 2
1956 New York Yankees at 1959 Chicago White Sox
1950 Philadelphia Phillies at 1954 New York Giants