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.
A late rally proved to be the difference in the opening contest of the National League Division Series as the Montreal Expos beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4.
Montreal trailed by a run with one out the top of the ninth when Marquis Grissom reached on an error by Braves shortstop Jeff Blauser.
After Grissom swiped second, Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone went to talk with Atlanta starter Greg Maddux about the next hitter, Cliff Floyd.
Floyd smacked a single that brought Grissom home to tie the affair at 3-3.
With the game tied, Braves manager Bobby Cox decided to call Steve Bedrosian from the bullpen instead of closer Greg McMichael.
Bedrosian gave up a single to Moises Alou putting runners on second and third with Larry Walker coming to the plate.
Walker added to his poor day as he fanned for the fourth time in the contest for the second out.
While the Braves crowd was fired up, it quickly became quiet as Darrin Fletcher‘s RBI single gave the Expos a 4-3 advantage.
A double by Wil Cordero gave the Expos an insurance run, which would be needed in the bottom of the ninth.
McMichael took over for Bredrosian and he got the final out on a grounder to Blauser.
Down by a pair, Javy Lopez walked for the Braves to begin their half of the ninth against John Wetteland.
Mark Lemke followed with a single and Lopez raced to third. Lopez scored a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Tony Tarasco.
Wettleland got the second out as Roberto Kelly hit into a fielder’s choice before he struck out Blauser to earn the save.
Expos starter Ken Hill (1-0) went eight innings giving up seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts to pick up the win as the Expos grabbed a 1-0 lead in the series.
Maddux (0-1) was tagged with the loss surrendering seven hits and fanning seven.
Game two of the best-of-five series in Atlanta features Pedro Martinez (0-0) on the mound for the Expos, while the Braves counter with Tom Glavine.
Both teams scored twice in the third inning.
Alou drilled a two-run homer for the Expos, while Lemke and Kelly added RBI doubles.
The Braves grabbed their 3-2 lead in the fifth on a RBI single by Blauser, which was the final tally until the ninth.
1994 Post-Season Tournament
National League Divisional Series
(1) Montreal Expos 5, (WC) Atlanta Braves 4
(1) Montreal Expos at (WC) Atlanta Braves
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (1) Montreal Expos
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (1) Montreal Expos, if necessary
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (1) Montreal Expos, if necessary
(2) Cincinnati Reds at (3) Los Angeles Dodgers
(2) Cincinnati Reds at (3) Los Angeles Dodgers
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Cincinnati Reds
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
American League Divisional Series
(1) New York Yankees at (WC) Cleveland Indians
(1) New York Yankees at (WC) Cleveland Indians
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees, if necessary
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees, if necessary
(2) Chicago White Sox at (3) Texas Rangers
(2) Chicago White Sox at (3) Texas Rangers
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox, if necessary
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox, if necessary