Editor’s note: The 1994 playoff games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for the American League contests as well as when those teams are at home during the World Series. 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 Cincinnati Reds survived a wild affair with a 10-8 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth and final contest of the National League Division Series.
With the win, the Reds advanace to the NL Championship Series to face the Atlanta Braves.
The deciding runs in the best-of-five series came in the bottom of the eighth off Dodgers reliever Roger McDowell on a RBI single by Reggie Sanders and a sacrifice fly by Ed Taubensee.
Jeff Brantley closed out the Dodgers in the ninth as he retired Delino DeShields, Mike Piazza and Tim Wallach on ground balls to earn a save.
Hector Carrasco (1-0) worked on frame to earn the win for the Reds as he gave up two runs in the top of the eighth as the Dodgers tied the contest at 8-8 with a two-run homer by Raul Mondesi.
McDowell (0-1) was tagged with the loss as he three hits in the eighth as the Reds scored twice.
Erik Hanson (0-1) is expected to start game one of the NLCS for the Reds in Cincinnati, while the Braves will counter with Steve Avery (0-0).
Reds Build Early Lead
Cincinnati grabbed a 3-0 advantage in the first inning against Dodgers starter Kevin Gross to the delight of the Riverfront Stadium crowd as Kevin Mitchell‘s RBI single was followed by a two-run homer from Bret Boone.
A RBI double by Hal Morris in the third added to the lead for the Reds.
Los Angeles got on the scoreboard in the fourth against Reds starter John Smiley with a run-scoring single by Eric Karros.
The Reds answered with a RBI double by Taubensee and then with an unearned run as Gross was sent to the showers with one out in the frame. Pedro Astacio retired two batters to get out of the jam.
The Dodgers closed their deficit to 6-5 with four runs in the fifth. Piazza had a RBI single just before Wallach smashed a three-run homer.
After a scoreless bottom of the fifth from Dodgers pitcher Omar Daal, Henry Rodriguez tied the game in the sixth at 6-6 as he led off with a solo homer that ended the day for Smiley.
A pair of Cincinnati pinch-hitters answered against Chan Ho Park. Jeff Branson hit a solo homer in the sixth and Willie Greene added a RBI single in the seventh that set the stage for Mondesi’s long ball.
1994 Post-Season Tournament
National League Championship Series
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (2) Cincinnati Reds
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (2) Cincinnati Reds
(2) Cincinnati Reds at (WC) Atlanta Braves
(2) Cincinnati Reds at (WC) Atlanta Braves
(2) Cincinnati Reds at (WC) Atlanta Braves, if necessary
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (2) Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (2) Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
National League Divisional Series
** Braves win series 3-2
(1) Montreal Expos 5, (WC) Atlanta Braves 4
(WC) Atlanta Braves 5, (1) Montreal Expos 1
(1) Montreal Expos 9, (WC) Atlanta Braves 8
(WC) Atlanta Braves 5, (1) Montreal Expos 2
(WC) Atlanta Braves 4, (1) Montreal Expos 3
** Reds win the series 3-2
(2) Cincinnati Reds 3, (3) Los Angeles Dodgers 1
(2) Cincinnati Reds 8, (3) Los Angeles Dodgers 3
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers 5, (2) Cincinnati Reds 3
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers 11, (2) Cincinnati Reds 4
(2) Cincinnati Reds 10, (3) Los Angeles Dodgers 8
American League Divisional Series
(1) New York Yankees 5, (WC) Cleveland Indians 4 (10)
(1) New York Yankees 4, (WC) Cleveland Indians 2
(WC) Cleveland Indians 7, (1) New York Yankees 0
(WC) Cleveland Indians 7, (1) New York Yankees 5
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees
(3) Texas Rangers 4, (2) Chicago White Sox 1
(3) Texas Rangers 7, (2) Chicago White Sox 2
(2) Chicago White Sox 6, (3) Texas Rangers 3
(2) Chicago White Sox 7, (3) Texas Rangers 6 (12)
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox