Pitching was the name of the game for the 1940 team as they swept the series from 1981 in two games and didn’t allow a run.
Paul Derringer tossed a five-hitter in the second contest to guarantee advancement to the semifinal round of the Stat-O-Matic Reds Tournament presented by Press Room Pass.
Frank McCormick provided most of the offense in the 8-0 win with a two-run double in the seventh to send 1981 starter Mario Soto to the showers. He added a two-run homer in the eighth.
Ernie Lombardi had a had two hits for 1940, while Billy Myers knocked in two runs. Jimmy Ripple also had a RBI single, which was the first run of the contest in the second inning.
Johnny Bench led 1981 with a pair of singles, but there wasn’t a serious threat against Derringer.
Game 1
Bucky Walters limited 1981 to six hits as he led 1940 to a 3-0 victory in the opener of the series.
Billy Werber drove in the first run of the game in the sixth inning against 1981’s losing pitcher Tom Seaver, who worked seven innings.
Later in the frame, McCormick knocked in the final two runs with a single.
Walters went the distance with four strikeouts to earn the win.
Ken Griffey led the 1981 team with two hits.
REDS TOURNAMENT RESULTS AND SCHEDULE
First Round
No. 1 1975 vs. No. 8 1995 (2-0) 6-2, 6-5
No. 4 1970 vs. No. 5 1961 (2-1) 2-1, 3-4, 11-7
No. 3 1940 vs. No. 6 1981 (2-0) 3-0, 8-0
No. 2 1990 vs. No. 7 2010