Editor’s note: Tournament games are played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. Three-man pitching rotations will be used for starting pitchers. Injuries are in-game only during this single elimination event.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to survive a late rally to post a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 1972 Strat-o-Matic Tournament.
With the win, the Dodgers move on to face the Houston Astros on the road in the second round.
Dodgers starter Don Sutton gave up back-to-back singles by Cito Gaston and Derrel Thomas as his day came to an end.
Los Angeles manager Walter Alston called Jim Brewer in from the bullpen and he was greeted by a single from Johnny Jeter that loaded the bases.
Brewer got a pop up from Fred Kendall for the first out before he induced pinch-hitter Jerry Morales to ground back to the mound and the lefty cut down Gaston at the plate.
Enzo Hernandez grounded to short for the final out as Brewer earned the save.
Sutton (1-0) gave up eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts in eight innings to get the win.
A RBI ground out by Willie Davis gave the Dodgers the lead in the bottom of the first inning against San Diego starter Clay Kirby.
The Dodgers scored three times in the fifth to grab a 4-0 advantage.
Frank Robinson knocked in the first run on a fielder’s choice as he avoided a double play. Wes Parker tripled to bring home Robinson before the Dodgers first baseman scored on a error.
Kirby (0-1) worked eight innings allowing eight hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
The Padres scored their runs in the top of the sixth.
Dave Roberts singled and Leron Lee doubled to begin the frame. Nate Colbert drove in the first run with a ground out and Gaston’s sacrifice fly produced the final tally.
Claude Osteen is scheduled to start for the Dodgers in the second round as the Astros give the ball to Don Wilson.
1972 Tournament Schedule
Second Round Pairings
NL East Bracket
(4) St. Louis Cardinals at (1) Pittsburgh Pirates
(6) Philadelphia Phillies at (2) Chicago Cubs
AL East Bracket
(5) Cleveland Indians at (1) Detroit Tigers
(3) Baltimore Orioles at (2) Boston Red Sox
AL West Bracket
(5) California Angels at (1) Oakland A’s
(3) Minnesota Twins at (2) Chicago White Sox
NL West Bracket
(4) Atlanta Braves at (1) Cincinnati Reds
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Houston Astros
First Round Results
NL East Bracket
(1) Pittsburgh Pirates, bye
(4) St. Louis Cardinals 5, (5) Montreal Expos 3
(6) Philadelphia Phillies 3, (3) New York Mets 0
(2) Chicago Cubs, bye
AL East Bracket
(1) Detroit Tigers, Bye
(5) Cleveland Indians 7, (4) New York Yankees 0
(3) Baltimore Orioles 4, (6) Milwaukee Brewers 0
(2) Boston Red Sox, bye
AL West Bracket
(1) Oakland A’s, Bye
(5) California Angels 1, (4) Kansas City Royals 0
(3) Minnesota Twins 3, (6) Texas Rangers 0
(2) Chicago White Sox, bye
NL West Bracket
(1) Cincinnati Reds, Bye
(4) Atlanta Braves 4, (5) San Francisco Giants 1
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers 4, (6) San Diego Padres 2
(2) Houston Astros, bye