Editor’s note: The 2006 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
John Smoltz got the job done on the mound, but he did alright at the plate as well.
Smoltz tossed a four-hitter and also drilled a homer to lead Atlanta to a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres as the Braves won the National League portion of the tourney.
With the win, the Braves are headed to Chicago to play the White Sox for the championship of the 2006 Tournament.
Tim Hudson is slated to start for the Braves, while the White Sox will counter with Freddy Garcia. Both teams will also be without key players.
Braves catcher Brian McCann was injured in the eighth inning as he was running to first on a ground ball. Chicago’s Paul Konerko will miss his second straight contest.
The Braves score all of their runs in the second inning off Padres starter Chris Young, who allowed just four hits in eight innings.
Brian McCann‘s solo homer got the rally underway before Smoltz took care of business.
An error by San Diego shortstop Khalil Greene put Ryan Langerhans on first to set the stage for the two-run homer by Smoltz.
Smoltz held the Padres hitless until the bottom of the fifth when Young picked up a single.
San Diego’s run came in the seventh as Mike Piazza smacked a solo homer to lead off the frame.
2006 Tournament Championship
Atlanta Braves at Chicago White Sox
2006 AL Tournament
Championship
Chicago White Sox 7, Toronto Blue Jays 6
Semifinals
Chicago White Sox 10, New York Yankees 8
Toronto Blue Jays 7, Los Angeles Angels 2
Second Round Results
New York Yankees 11, Texas Rangers 1
Chicago White Sox 10, Detroit Tigers 5
Los Angeles Angels 7, Minnesota Twins 3
Toronto Blue Jays 5, Oakland Athletics 2
First Round Results
New York Yankees, bye
Texas Rangers 10, Boston Red Sox 4
Chicago White Sox 9, Baltimore Orioles 3
Detroit Tigers 4, Kansas City Royals 3
Minnesota Twins 11, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4
Los Angeles Angels 4, Cleveland Indians 1
Toronto Blue Jays 7, Seattle Mariners 6
Oakland Athletics, bye
2006 NL Tournament
Championship
Atlanta Braves 3, San Diego Padres 1
Semifinals
Atlanta Braves 6, St. Louis Cardinals 1
San Diego Padres 4, Houston Astros 3 (10)
Second Round Results
Atlanta Braves 6, Chicago Cubs 0
St. Louis Cardinals 8, Milwaukee Brewers 1
Houston Astros 6, Washington Nationals 4
San Diego Padres 7, San Francisco Giants 6
First Round Results
Chicago Cubs 6, New York Mets 3
Atlanta Braves 8, Florida Marlins 5
St. Louis Cardinals 3, Colorado Rockies 1
Milwaukee Brewers 4, Philadelphia Phillies 3
Washington Nationals 13, Los Angeles Dodgers 10
Houston Astros 6, Arizona Diamondbacks 1
San Francisco Giants 9, Cincinnati Reds 5
San Diego Padres 2, Pittsburgh Pirates 1 (11)