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.
The Houston Astros had plenty of power to support Roger Clemens in a 6-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opening round of the 2006 Tournament.
Houston advances to the second round as the Astros will entertain the Washington Nationals.
Clemens tossed a six-hitter in his complete game effort with six strikeouts.
Thanks to the Houston offense, Clemens quickly got all of the support he would need in the bottom of the first inning.
Willy Taveras led off the contest with a single against Arizona starter Brandon Webb.
One out later, Morgan Ensberg walked to set the stage for Lance Berkman as the Houston first baseman drilled a three-run homer to give the Astros an early advantage.
In the third, Taveras began the frame with another single. This time, Ensberg wasn’t going to take a walk and allow his teammate to get some glory. Ensberg smashed a two-run shot and the Astros were on top 5-0.
Aubrey Huff‘s solo shot in the sixth accounted for Houston’s final tally.
After blanking Arizona through seven innings, the Diamondbacks got some help to score their lone run.
With two outs, Orlando Hudson singled and then Johnny Estrada followed with a double.
Eric Byrnes was at the plate when Clemens and Brad Ausmus got crossed up on a pitch as Hudson raced home on a passed ball. Clemens retired Ausmus on a pop up and the threat was over.
Webb got the loss as he went seven innings with seven strikeouts.
2006 AL Tournament
Second Round Pairings
Texas Rangers at New York Yankees
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
Los Angeles Angels at Minnesota Twins
Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics
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
First Round Pairings and 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 at Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres