Editor’s note: The 1970 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams from 1973-79 when games are played at home. 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.
Steve Rogers tossed a three-hitter as the 1979 Montreal Expos won 5-0 over the 1970 Baltimore Orioles in the opening contest of the 1970s Diamond Gems Tournament.
With the victory, the Expos are scheduled to entertain the winner of the 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers at 1978 Boston Red Sox affair.
Rogers (1-0) walked four and fanned four in his complete game effort as he allowed double to Mark Belanger in the third and singles to Boog Powell in the seventh and Don Buford in the ninth.
The Expos touched up Baltimore starter Mike Cuellar for four runs with three being earned before he left the mound with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
Montreal first tally was in the second as Larry Parrish hit into a double play with the bases loaded.
In the fifth, Ellis Valentine drilled a solo homer and it was 2-0.
Gary Carter smacked a solo shot in the seventh before Warren Cromartie added a RBI single.
Parrish picked up a RBI in the eighth on a single off Moe Drabowsky, who had taken over for Cuellar.
Cuellar (0-1) gave up seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Drabowsky surrendered two hits and a walk.
1970s Diamond Gems Tournament
First Round Results and Schedule
1979 Montreal Expos 5, 1970 Baltimore Orioles 0
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers at 1978 Boston Red Sox
1976 Philadelphia Phillies at 1975 Cincinnati Reds
1978 New York Yankees at 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
1972 Cincinnati Reds at 1979 Baltimore Orioles
1975 Boston Red Sox at 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers
1977 Kansas City Royals at 1972 Oakland A’s
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1970 Minnesota Twins