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.
Chris Young just wasn’t going to leave the mound.
Young apparently convinced Bruce Bochy and the result was a San Diego 2-1 victory in 11 innings over the Pittsburgh Pirates as the opening round of the 2006 Tournament came to an end.
The Padres are now set to entertain the San Francisco Giants in the second round.
Todd Walker led off the bottom of the 11th with a single off Padres reliever Damaso Marte. After Marte fanned Josh Bard, who was batting for Young, he gave up a single to Dave Roberts.
Walker came home with the winning run as the Pirates attempted a double play that would have ended the inning. Josh Barfield hit a grounder to Jack Wilson at short.
Wilson fired to Jose Castillo at second to begin the twin killing, but Barfield just beat the throw and the Padres were celebrating.
Bochy’s faith in his starting pitcher paid off as Young allow just five hits in the complete game effort with nine strikeouts.
Pittsburgh starter Tom Gorzelanny gave up four hits over his seven innings with just one blemish.
Mike Piazza‘s solo homer gave the Padres a 1-0 lead in the sixth.
The Pirates got to Young in the top of of the ninth as Wilson hit a solo shot to tie the affair at 1-1.
Young got the final two outs of the ninth to send the contest to extra innings. After striking out the side in the 10th, he stayed in the game to work a perfect 11th to get the win.
John Grabow tossed three scoreless frames for the Pirates before Marte took over for him in the 11th.
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
Second Round Pairings
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves
Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros
San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres
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)