Editor’s note: Tournament games are played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter is also being used for all games.
Atlanta’s Phil Niekro and Dave Campbell combined for a one-hitter as the Braves upended the Texas Rangers 4-2 at Arlington Park in the first round of the 1977 Tournament.
With a 4-0 advantage, Niekro had a no-hitter with one out in the bottom of the eighth when issued his fourth free pass of the contest by walking Jim Sundberg.
Juan Beniquez homered off Niekro to end the day for the knuckle ball ace, who fanned six.
Campbell earned the save by retiring the next five Rangers to preserve the victory for Braves owner/manager Ted Turner.
The Braves advance to the next round to face the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park.
Two swings provided all of the offense that the Braves would need against Rangers starter Bert Blyleven.
In the fifth, Junior Moore‘s RBI single made it 1-0.
Willie Montanez blasted a three-run homer in the sixth to put the Braves on top 4-0.
1977 Tournament Results and Schedule
George Brett Bracket
(1) Kansas City Royals (102-60), bye
(16) San Francisco Giants 4, (17) Detroit Tigers 3
(9) Chicago White Sox 8, (24) Oakland Athletics 6
(25) Atlanta Braves 4, (8) Texas Rangers 2
Tom Lasorda Bracket
(5) Boston Red Sox (97-64), bye
(21) Milwaukee Brewers (67-95) at (12) St. Louis Cardinals (83-79)
(20) San Diego Padres (69-73) at (13) Chicago Cubs (81-81)
(4) Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64), bye
Reggie Jackson Bracket
(3) New York Yankees (100-62), bye
(19) Cleveland Indians (71-90) at (14) Houston Astros (81-81)
(22) New York Mets (64-98) at (11) Minnesota Twins (84-77)
(6) Baltimore Orioles (97-64), bye
Mike Schmidt Bracket
(26) Toronto Blue Jays (54-107) at (7) Pittsburgh Pirates (96-66)
(23) Seattle Mariners (64-98) at (10) Cincinnati Reds (88-74)
(18) California Angels (74-88) at (15) Montreal Expos (75-87)
(2) Philadelphia Phillies (101-61), bye