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.
Jose Rijo led the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the National League Division Series.
Rijo (1-0) went the distance allowing six hits with four walks and a dozen strikeouts as the Reds took a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-five series.
Game two in Los Angeles will have John Smiley (0-0) on the mound for the Reds as Kevin Gross (1-0) gets the start for the Dodgers.
Cincinnati grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top second inning against Los Angeles starter Ramon Martinez.
Three straight singles to begin the frame by Bret Boone, Tony Fernandez and Reggie Sanders led to the first tally. With runners at first and third, Ed Taubensee grounded into a fielder’s choice as Fernandez crossed the plate.
The Dodgers scored in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez smacked a single with the bases loaded before Rijo struck out Brett Butler to end the threat.
In the eighth, the Reds added their final run of the affair as Deion Sanders had a RBI single for his fourth hit of the contest.
Martinez (0-1) gave up 14 hits and walked one with three strikeouts as he seemed to be in trouble in several innings before he left with two runners on base in the top of the ninth.
Todd Worrell got Boone to hit into a double play and then Fernandez on a fly ball to right, which ended the inning.
Butler reached on an error in the ninth for the Dodgers, but Rijo was never really challenged as he put the game away.
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 3, (3) Los Angeles Dodgers 1
(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