Editor’s note: Tournament games are played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. Each of the Cy Young winners will start every game with a maximum of 10 innings. The designated hitter is being used. Injuries are in-game only during this single elimination event.
Jim Perry tossed a five-hitter as the 1970 Minnesota Twins defeated the 1970 St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in the opening round of the 1970s Cy Young Tournament.
Two players had all of the hits against Perry as he walked a pair and fanned eight in his complete game effort.
Jose Cardenal put the only blemish on Perry’s day with a solo homer in the fifth, while adding a single in the seventh. Joe Hague led the Cardinals with three singles in the first, sixth and ninth.
St. Louis starter Bob Gibson matched Perry through six frames as the contest was tied 1-1.
One of the six hits Gibson allowed at that point was a solo homer by Rod Carew in the third.
In the top of the seventh, Minnesota’s offense erupted for five runs as the Twins sent 10 batters to the plate.
Gibson hit Cesar Tovar, who promptly swiped second and then scored on a single by Carew as the Twins led 2-1.
Tony Oliva followed with a single and Harmon Killebrew walked as the Twins loaded the bases.
Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst visited Gibson on the mound and returned to the dugout.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Brant Alyea drilled a grand slam and Gibson’s day was over.
Al Hrabosky and Chuck Taylor finished up for St. Louis, but the Cardinals couldn’t produce a run against Perry the rest of the way.
Next up in the second round for the Twins is the winner of the 1979 Baltimore Orioles at 1979 Chicago Cubs contest.
1970s Cy Young Tournament
First Round Results and Schedule
1970 Minnesota Twins 6, 1970 St. Louis Cardinals 1
1979 Baltimore Orioles (Flanagan) at 1979 Chicago Cubs (Sutter)
1971 Oakland A’s (Blue) at 1971 Chicago Cubs (Jenkins)
1978 New York Yankees (Guidry) at 1978 San Diego Padres (G. Perry)
1972 Cleveland Indians (G. Perry) at 1972 Philadelphia Phillies (Carlton)
1976 San Diego Padres (Jones) at 1977 New York Yankees (Lyle)
1973 Baltimore Orioles (Palmer) at 1973 New York Mets (Seaver)
1974 Oakland A’s (Hunter) at 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers (Marshall)