Editor’s note: The 1990 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any contests involving American League teams when games are played at home. 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 1993 San Francisco Giants became the last team to reach the semifinals of the 1990s Diamond Gems Tournament with a 4-3 victory over the 1994 Montreal Expos.
San Francisco now entertains the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates for the chance to play in the championship contest.
A two-run homer by Matt Williams off Montreal starter Pedro Martinez gave the Giants the lead in the bottom of the first.
The advantage didn’t last very long as the Expos answered to tie the affair at 2-2 in the second inning on a two-run single by Sean Berry off Giants starter John Burkett.
Kirt Manwaring put the Giants in front for good with a RBI single in the bottom of the second.
With two outs in the fifth, Darren Lewis singled, stole second and then scored on a single by Thompson and it was 4-2.
Berry drove in the final tally for the Expos in the top of the ninth with a single.
Burkett (1-0) left the mound after Darrin Fletcher doubled to begin the frame. Burkett gave up three runs on seven hist with a walk and three strikeouts. Rod Beck took over and retired the next two batters before Berry’s RBI single. Beck fanned pinch-hitter Rondell White to end the ninth.
Martinez (0-1) went seven innings surrendering four runs with only two being earned on five hits, a pair of walks and nine strikeouts. Mel Rojas gave the Expos some hope as he tossed a perfect eighth.
1990s Diamond Gems Tournament
Semifinals
1990 Cincinnati Reds at 1993 Philadelphia Phillies
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1993 San Francisco Giants
Second Round Results
1990 Cincinnati Reds 6, 1990 Oakland A’s 4
1993 Philadelphia Phillies 7, 1992 Toronto Blue Jays 3
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates 8, 1997 Florida Marlins 7 (10)
1993 San Francisco Giants 4, 1994 Montreal Expos 3
First Round Results
1990 Cincinnati Reds 4, 1998 Houston Astros 2
1990 Oakland A’s 4, 1998 New York Yankees 3
1992 Toronto Blue Jays 5, 1997 Baltimore Orioles 1
1993 Philadelphia Phillies 8, 1996 Atlanta Braves 2
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates 8, 1998 San Diego Padres 2
1997 Florida Marlins 5, 1991 Minnesota Twins 4
1993 San Francisco Giants 2, 1996 New York Yankees 1
1994 Montreal Expos 2, 1995 Cleveland Indians 1