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.
The 1975 Boston Red Sox spoiled the party that the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates were planning after the first inning in Three Rivers Stadium.
Boston was able to comeback and then hang on for a 7-6 victory over the Pirates in the championship game of the 1970s Diamond Gems Tournament.
Pittsburgh scored four times in the bottom of the first off Boston starter Luis Tiant as the hometown crowd went wild.
Al Oliver knocked in the first run with a single before Bob Robertson tripled home two more runs as Boston leftfielder Jim Rice couldn’t catch up to the ball that banged off the wall. Robertson scored the final tally as Rico Petrocelli misplayed a grounder by Manny Sanguillen.
Boston finally got to Pirates starter Steve Blass in the top of the fifth as Fred Lynn singled to cut Boston’s deficit in half at 4-2.
Lynn was at it again in the sixth with a RBI single to make it 4-3.
Everything got out of control for Blass in the sixth as he would leave with one out.
RBI singles by Petrocelli and Dwight Evans gave the Red Sox a 5-4 lead as Blass headed for the showers.
Nelson Briles took over the mound for the Pirates and surrendered a RBI double to Rick Burleson and a sacrifice fly to Tiant, who was still around for Boston.
Trailing 7-4, the Pirates were able to respond to close the gap to a run.
Roberto Clemente doubled and then Tiant paid for the decision to pitch to Willie Stargell, who blasted a two-run homer.
After Oliver singled, Tiant was replaced by Jim Willoughby, who got Robertson to hit into a fielder’s choice before ending the rally with a double play grounder by Sanguillen.
The Pirates still had some life heading into the bottom of the ninth after reliever Ramon Hernandez shut down the Red Sox.
With Willoughby still pitching, pinch-hitter Milt May led off with a single. Gene Clines went into run for May and he swiped second.
After Jackie Hernandez fanned, Dave Cash had an infield single for his fourth hit of the contest as Clines could only advance to third.
Boston manager Darrell Johnson had two pitchers in the bullpen and he picked Roger Moret to face Richie Hebner. Moret won the battle of lefties with a strikeout.
Johnson went back to the mound and called on Dick Drago, who would retire Clemente on a ground ball back to the pitcher to set off Boston’s celebration.
1970s Diamond Gems Tournament
Championship Game
1975 Boston Red Sox 7, 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 6
Semifinals
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 2, 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 1
1975 Boston Red Sox 4, 1970 Minnesota Twins 2
Second Round Results
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 5, 1979 Montreal Expos 0
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 6, 1975 Cincinnati Reds 5 (12)
1975 Boston Red Sox 6, 1979 Baltimore Orioles 5
1970 Minnesota Twins 7, 1972 Oakland A’s 4
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