Editor’s note: The games in the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems Tournament are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will not be used for any games. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
Johnny Wright survived a mistake in the first inning as he led the 1943 Homestead Grays to a 5-1 victory over the 1928 St. Louis Stars in the opening round of the Negro Leagues Diamond Gems B Tournament.
Wright (1-0) surrendered a solo homer in the top of the first to Willie Wells, but the Stars could only manage five more hits the rest of the way. The Homestead pitcher went the distance with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Josh Gibson got things going for the Grays as he smashed a homer off St. Louis starter Ted Trent to tie the affair at 1-1 in the second inning.
The Grays grabbed the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth with three runs. Jud Wilson had a RBI double before Jerry Benjamin finished the rally with a two-run single.
Homestead’s final tally came when Wilson homered in the eighth.
Trent (0-1) worked eight innings on the mound for the Stars giving up a dozen hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Negro Leagues Diamond Gems B Tournament
First Round Schedule and Results
1935 New York Cubans 3, 1920 Detroit Stars 2
1942 Kansas City Monarchs 4, 1933 Indianapolis American Giants 2
1943 Homestead Grays 5, 1928 St. Louis Stars 1
1949 Baltimore Elite Giants at 1934 Philadelphia Stars