Editor’s note: The 1980 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. 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 Hit Man came through.
After going hitless in four plate appearances with a pair of strikeouts, Mike Easler thrilled the Pittsburgh fans as he drilled a walk-off homer in the 11th inning as the Pirates won 3-1 over the New York Mets in the final contest of the opening round of the 1980 Tournament.
Mets pitcher Jeff Reardon was in his third frame on the mound when he walked Dave Parker with one out before Easler took care of business.
Although Easler didn’t have a hit until the 11th, he also responded in the ninth against Reardon.
New York starter Pat Zachry surrendered a leadoff double to Lee Lacy to begin the last chance for the Pirates. It was just the fourth hit allowed by Zachry.
Reardon was called from the bullpen and Parker grounded out to move Lacy to third setting up Easler, who tied the game as he hit a ground ball to Mets first baseman Mike Jorgensen. On the play, Jorgensen was forced to toss to Reardon as Lacy raced home to tie the affair.
The Mets scored their run against Pittsburgh starter Jim Bibby in the fourth, which was unearned. Claudell Washington reached second on an error by Bill Madlock.
Bibby retired Jorgensen, but Joel Youngblood singled to give the Mets a 1-0 advantage.
Enrique Romo (1-0) picked up the win for the Pirates. Romo closed out the ninth with double play as he entered the contest to replace Grant Jackson. Romo gave up a hit over the final two frames, but the Mets couldn’t score.
1980 AL Tournament
Second Round Pairings
(8) Oakland Athletics at (1) New York Yankees
(13) California Angels at (5) Boston Red Sox
(7) Cleveland Indians at (2) Baltimore Orioles
(14) Seattle Mariners at (11) Chicago White Sox
First Round Results
(1) New York Yankees (103-59), bye
(8) Oakland Athletics 8, (9) Minnesota Twins 2
(13) California Angels 11, (4) Milwaukee Brewers 4
(5) Boston Red Sox 9, (12) Toronto Blue Jays 3
(2) Baltimore Orioles (100-62), bye
(7) Cleveland Indians 10, (10) Texas Rangers 8
(14) Seattle Mariners 6, (3) Kansas City Royals 1
(11) Chicago White Sox 5, (6) Detroit Tigers 1
1980 NL Tournament
Second Round Pairings
(9) St. Louis Cardinals at (1) Houston Astros
(5) Cincinnati Reds at (4) Montreal Expos
(7) Atlanta Braves at (2) Los Angeles Dodgers
(6) Pittsburgh Pirates at (3) Philadelphia Phillies
First Round Results
(1) Houston Astros (93-70), bye
(9) St. Louis Cardinals 9, (8) San Francisco Giants 1
(4) Montreal Expos (90-72), bye
(5) Cincinnati Reds 3, (12) Chicago Cubs 1
(2) Los Angeles Dodgers (92-71), bye
(7) Atlanta Braves 5, (10) San Diego Padres 4
(3) Philadelphia Phillies (91-71), bye
(6) Pittsburgh Pirates 3, (11) New York Mets 1