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.
A late rally by the 1986 Boston Red Sox was the difference as they moved into the second round of the 1980s Diamond Gems Tournament with a 5-1 victory over the 1985 Kansas City Royals.
The Red Sox are set to entertain the 1984 Chicago Cubs as the single elimination event continues.
Marty Barrett led the Red Sox with three hits as starting pitcher Roger Clemens dominated on the Royals with 13 strikeouts.
Barrett drove in Boston’s first run in the third against Kansas City starter Bret Saberhagen with a RBI single.
George Brett tagged Clemens for a solo homer in the fourth to tie it at 1-1.
In the top of the eighth, Barrett got the scoring underway with a run-scoring double that gave the Red Sox the lead for good as Saberhagen was sent to the showers.
Unfortunately for the Royals, the reliable Dan Quisenberry apparently wasn’t ready to take over on the mound. Bill Buckner added a run on a ground out before Jim Rice drilled a homer that scored two more and the Red Sox led by four.
Clemens allowed four hits and had a pair of walks in his complete game, while Saberhagen gave up four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.
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
(4) 1983 Baltimore Orioles 2, (13) 1985 Toronto Blue Jays 1
(12) 1981 New York Yankees 5, (5) 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers 3 (11)
(15) 1984 Chicago Cubs 7, (2) 1984 Detroit Tigers 2
(10) 1986 Boston Red Sox 5, (7) 1985 Kansas City Royals 1
(14) 1983 Chicago White Sox at (3) 1989 Oakland A’s
(11) 1982 Milwaukee Brewers at (6) 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers