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.
It took a few innings, but once the Chicago White Sox got going they were able to post a 9-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the 2006 Tournament.
With the opening round win, the White Sox are now set to face either the Kansas City Royals or Detroit Tigers in the second round.
After Melvin Mora‘s RBI single put Baltimore on top in the bottom of the first, Chicago took the lead for good in the fourth against Orioles starter Erik Bedard on a two-run single by Joe Crede.
Jim Thome‘s three-run homer in the fifth gave the White Sox a 5-1 advantage.
When Crede doubled to begin the sixth, Bedard’s day was finished and so were the Orioles as they surrendered four runs to fall behind 9-1.
Baltimore’s LaTroy Hawkins only retired one batter as he allowed three hits and a walk before getting replaced by Todd Williams, who would end the contest on the mound for the Orioles.
With the help of an error Chicago loaded the bases against Hawkins and Scott Podsednik grounded out to produce a run. Tadahito Iguchi added a RBI double before things got worse for the Orioles.
A.J. Pierzynski and Juan Uribe both scored on wild pitches by Hawkins before Williams was able to induce Paul Konerko to hit into a double play to end the onslaught.
Jon Garland went the distance for the White Sox with a complete game victory with six strikeouts. He did give up 13 hits, but it was too little, too late for Baltimore.
The Orioles scored twice in the eighth on back-to-back solo homers by Ramon Hernandez and Kevin Millar.
Thome led the White Sox with a game-high four hits as he added three singles to go with his long ball.
2006 AL Tournament
First Round Pairings and Results
New York Yankees, bye
Texas Rangers 10, Boston Red Sox 4
Chicago White Sox 9, Baltimore Orioles 3
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays
Oakland Athletics, bye
2006 NL Tournament
First Round Pairings
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves
Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros
San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres