Editor’s note: The 1980 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. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
There’s nothing like waiting until the last minute.
That’s exactly what the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals did in a 4-2 victory over the 1987 Minnesota Twins.
With the win, the Cardinals advance to the second round of the 1980s Diamond Gems Tournament to face the 1986 Houston Astros at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals scored all four of their runs in the ninth inning as the ousted starter Twins starter Bert Blyleven and then didn’t treat reliever Jeff Reardon very well either.
Trailing 2-0, Willie McGee singled and swiped second to begin the rally. Tom Herr doubled to cut the St. Louis deficit in half and end the day for Blyleven.
Jack Clark greeted Reardon a two-run homer that put the Cardinals in front. Later in the frame, Terry Pendleton finished things with a sacrifice fly.
St. Louis starter John Tudor went the distance to earn the victory allowing four hits with six strikeouts.
Blyleven went eight innings gave up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Reardon was tagged with the loss as he surrendered two runs on two hits.
The Twins scored both of their runs in the bottom of the sixth on a RBI single by Greg Gagne and a sacrifice fly by Kent Hrbek.
First Round Schedule and Results
(16) 1986 Houston Astros 5, (1) 1986 New York Mets 3
(9) 1985 St. Louis Cardinals 4, (8) 1987 Minnesota Twins 2
(13) 1985 Toronto Blue Jays at (4) 1983 Baltimore Orioles
(12) 1981 New York Yankees at (5) 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers
(15) 1984 Chicago Cubs at (2) 1984 Detroit Tigers
(10) 1986 Boston Red Sox at (7) 1985 Kansas City Royals
(14) 1983 Chicago White Sox at (3) 1989 Oakland A’s
(11) 1982 Milwaukee Brewers at (6) 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers