Editor’s note: Tournament games are played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter is also being used for all games.
Errors can be costly.
The Chicago White Sox made four errors, but it was one miscue by the Atlanta Braves that hurt the most.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 10th, Chicago’s Chet Lemon led off with a double off Braves reliever Max Leon, who was beginning his third inning of work.
Dave Campbell was called from the bullpen by new Braves manager Vern Benson, who replaced one-game manager Ted Turner.
Campbell’s first pitch was drilled into right field by White Sox catcher Brian Downing. Atlanta’s Jeff Burroughs misplayed the ball and Lemon raced home to give the White Sox the victory.
The White Sox will now entertain the San Francisco Giants in the finale of the George Brett Bracket in the 1977 Tournament.
Richie Zisk gave the White Sox a 1-0 advantage with a solo homer in the fourth off Atlanta starter Dick Ruthven. Ruthven went seven innings and gave up six hits with three strikeouts.
White Sox starter Steve Stone blanked the Braves on four hits with seven strikeouts when he left the mound after facing three hitters in the seventh.
After Bruce Dal Canton retired the side without allowing a run as he took over Stone.
Lerrin LaGrow followed Dal Canton in the eighth and went the rest of the way to earn the victory despite giving up solo shot to Burroughs that tied the affair in his first frame on the mound.
After the game, Benson was relieved of his mangerial duties for the Braves. Dave Bristol, who had been sent on a scouting trip by Turner, resumed control of the club.
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
$ (16) San Francisco Giants 6, (1) Kansas City Royals 3
$ (9) Chicago White Sox 2, (25) Atlanta Braves 1 (10 innings)
(16) San Francisco Giants at (9) Chicago White Sox, final
Tom Lasorda Bracket
% (5) Boston Red Sox (97-64), bye
% (21) Milwaukee Brewers 8, (12) St. Louis Cardinals 4
% (13) Chicago Cubs 2, (20) San Diego Padres 1
% (4) Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64), bye
$ (21) Milwaukee Brewers at (5) Boston Red Sox
$ (13) Chicago Cubs at (4) Los Angeles Dodgers
Reggie Jackson Bracket
% (3) New York Yankees (100-62), bye
% (14) Houston Astros 7, (19) Cleveland Indians 5
% (22) New York Mets 3, (11) Minnesota Twins 0
% (6) Baltimore Orioles (97-64), bye
$ (14) Houston Astros at (3) New York Yankees
$ (22) New York Mets at (6) Baltimore Orioles
Mike Schmidt Bracket
% (7) Pittsburgh Pirates 4, (26) Toronto Blue Jays 1
% (10) Cincinnati Reds 6, (23) Seattle Mariners 3
% (15) Montreal Expos 4, (18) California Angels 2
% (2) Philadelphia Phillies (101-61), bye
$ (10) Cincinnati Reds at (7) Pittsburgh Pirates
$ (15) Montreal Expos at (2) Philadelphia Phillies
% First Round
$ Second Round (Bracket Semifinals)