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.
Frank Thomas smashed a pair of homers to lead the Chicago White Sox to their first playoff win in the best-of-five American League Division Series.
Thomas drove in four runs as the White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 6-3. The Rangers lead the series two games to one.
The starters in game one of the series will return to the mound to face each other in the fourth contest as Jack McDowell (0-1) gets the ball for the White Sox, while the Rangers counter with Kenny Rogers (1-0).
Juan Gonzalez gave the Rangers a 1-0 advantage in the first inning with a sacrifice fly against Chicago starter Wilson Alvarez.
The White Sox had a quick response in the bottom of the frame against Texas starter Rick Helling.
Tim Raines walked and Joey Cora followed with a single that put runners at first and third with Thomas coming to the plate.
One mighty swing from Thomas and it was 3-1 Chicago.
Both teams added runs in the second inning. David Hulse knocked in an unearned run for the Rangers with a ground out, while White Sox catcher Mike LaValliere picked up a RBI single.
In the third, Thomas drilled a solo homer before Helling’s day came to an end with two outs after a double by Robin Ventura and back-to-back walks to Lance Johnson and LaValliere.
Darren Oliver was called from the Texas bullpen and he walked Ozzie Guillen to produce the final tally for the White Sox.
Jose Canseco‘s solo long ball in the top of the eighth was the last run for Texas.
Alvarez (1-0) got the win for Chicago despite leaving the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the ninth. Overall, Alvarez gave up five hits with 13 strikeouts.
Paul Assenmacher did get a save as he retired Hulse on a fly ball to end the game.
Helling (0-1) didn’t make it out the third inning as he allowed six runs on eight hits with three walks. Oliver and Rick Honeycutt were able to keep the White Sox off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
1994 Post-Season Tournament
National League Divisional Series
(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 at (1) Montreal Expos
(WC) Atlanta Braves at (1) Montreal Expos, if necessary
(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 at (2) Cincinnati Reds
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers at (2) Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
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 at (1) New York Yankees
(WC) Cleveland Indians at (1) New York Yankees, if necessary
(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
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox
(3) Texas Rangers at (2) Chicago White Sox, if necessary