Editor’s note: Tournament games are played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter is also being used for all games.
Although Cincinnati couldn’t hold a three-run advantage, the Big Red Machine was able to roll past the Seattle Mariners 6-3 at Riverfront Stadium in the opening round of the 1977 Tournament.
With the win, the Reds are now slated to visit Pittsburgh in the second round.
The Mariners grabbed an early 1-0 lead against Reds starter Tom Seaver when Leroy Stanton knocked in Dave Collins in the top of the first.
In the bottom of the frame, the Reds answered to take the lead.
Pete Rose tripled to begin the rally off Seattle starter Glenn Abbott. Ken Griffey singled to the the affair and Joe Morgan followed to a two-run homer to make it 3-1.
The Mariners worked their way to tie the contest at 3-3 by the fourth inning. Dan Meyer had a RBI single in the third, while Ruppert Jones hit a solo shot one inning later.
Cesar Geronimo led off the fifth with a homer to put the Reds on top for good. Dave Concepcion ended Abbott’s day with a two-run double in the sixth.
Seaver tossed a complete game for the Reds fanning six and giving up six hits, but only surrendering one after the homer by Jones in the fourth.
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 8, (12) St. Louis Cardinals 4
(13) Chicago Cubs 2, (20) San Diego Padres 1
(4) Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64), bye
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
Mike Schmidt Bracket
(7) Pittsburgh Pirates 4, (26) Toronto Blue Jays 1
(10) Cincinnati Reds 6, (23) Seattle Mariners 3
(18) California Angels (74-88) at (15) Montreal Expos (75-87)
(2) Philadelphia Phillies (101-61), bye