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.
An unearned run was the difference as the 1976 San Diego Padres defeated the 1977 New York Yankees 1-0 in the opening round of the 1970s Cy Young Tournament.
With the game scoreless in the top of the seventh, San Diego’s Enzo Hernandez singled with two outs off Yankees starter Sparky Lyle.
Hernandez raced home as New York shortstop Bucky Dent misplayed a grounder by Johnny Grubb to produce the only run of the affair.
San Diego ace Randy Jones went the distance as he limited the Yankees to four hits, while not walking or striking out a batter.
Lyle (0-1) gave up nine hits for the Yankees with three strikeouts.
Hernandez led the Padres with three hits, while Dave Winfield and Jerry Turner had two each. Tito Fuentes and Willie Davis also had a hit for the Padres.
Dent topped New York with two singles as Lou Piniella and Willie Randolph both had a single.
With the win, the Padres will entertain the 1972 Cleveland Indians in a second round.
1970s Cy Young Tournament
Second Round Schedule
1979 Baltimore Orioles (Flanagan) at 1970 Minnesota Twins (J. Perry)
1978 New York Yankees (Guidry) at 1971 Chicago Cubs (Jenkins)
1972 Cleveland Indians (G. Perry) at 1976 San Diego Padres (Jones)
First Round Results and Schedule
1970 Minnesota Twins 6, 1970 St. Louis Cardinals 1
1979 Baltimore Orioles 5, 1979 Chicago Cubs 3 (13 innings)
1971 Chicago Cubs 4, 1971 Oakland A’s 2
1978 New York Yankees 2, 1978 San Diego Padres 0
1972 Cleveland Indians 1, 1972 Philadelphia Phillies 0
1976 San Diego Padres 1, 1977 New York Yankees 0
1973 Baltimore Orioles (Palmer) at 1973 New York Mets (Seaver)
1974 Oakland A’s (Hunter) at 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers (Marshall)