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.
After a fast start, the 1970 Minnesota Twins were able to hang on for a 9-5 victory over the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of opening round in the 1970s Diamond Gems Tournament.
With the win, the Twins will visit the 1972 Oakland A’s for a contest in the second round.
Harmon Killebrew smashed a two-run homer in the top of the first off Pittsburgh pitcher John Candelaria as the Twins grabbed the lead.
John Milner cut Pittsburgh’s deficit in half in the second with a solo shot off Twins starter Jim Perry.
The Twins offense responded in a big way over the next two innings to build a 9-1 advantage.
Helped by an error the Twins picked up four runs in the third to oust Candelaria. Carew and Killebrew had RBI doubles before Rich Reese added a run-scoring single. Jim Holt capped the rally with a triple that scored Reese.
In the fourth against Jim Rooker, Carew had a RBI single and Killebrew added a two-run double.
The Pirates showed some signs of coming to life in the fourth as Phil Garner knocked in a run on a ground out.
Pittsburgh added three more runs in the fifth. Tim Foli had a RBI single and later scored on an error by the Twins. Bill Madlock drove in Pittsburgh’s last run with a sacrifice fly.
Perry (1-0) got the win for the Twins as he left after Foli doubled in the seventh. He allowed 10 hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Tom Hall earned a save by tossing three hitless innings with four strikeouts.
Candelaria (0-1) was tagged with the loss leaving with two outs in the third after surrendering six runs with only two earned on six hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
Following Candelaria was Enrique Romo, Rooker, Don Robinson and Dock Ellis. Rooker was the only on to give up runs as the Twins scored three times on four hits in his only inning.
1970s Diamond Gems Tournament
Second Round Schedule
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers at 1979 Montreal Expos
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1975 Cincinnati Reds
1979 Baltimore Orioles at 1975 Boston Red Sox
1970 Minnesota Twins at 1972 Oakland A’s
First Round Results
1979 Montreal Expos 5, 1970 Baltimore Orioles 0
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 5, 1978 Boston Red Sox 1
1975 Cincinnati Reds 3, 1976 Philadelphia Phillies 2
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 13, 1978 New York Yankees 7
1979 Baltimore Orioles 4, 1972 Cincinnati Reds 3
1975 Boston Red Sox 2, 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers 1
1972 Oakland A’s 3, 1977 Kansas City Royals 1
1970 Minnesota Twins 9, 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates 5