Editor’s note: Second Chance Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter is also being used for all games. The first and second rounds will be decided with a best of three series, while the championship series will be a best of five format.
Cleveland pitcher Bob Lemon went the distance as the 1954 Indians posted a 5-2 victory over the 1935 Chicago Cubs in opener of a first round series of the Second Chance Tournament.
Lemon fell behind early in the contest at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, but settled down as he allowed eight hits and fanned two as the Indians took a 1-0 lead in the best of three set.
Chuck Klein blasted a solo homer to lead off the top of the second for the Cubs, while Gabby Hartnet followed with a triple.
Frank Demaree‘s sacrifice fly scored Harnett and the Cubs were on top 2-0.
The Indians picked up a run in the third against Cubs starter Bill Lee on Al Smith‘s RBI double.
Wally Westlake tied the affair with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.
In the fifth, the Indians got some help as they took as 3-2 lead.
Bobby Avila singled with one out. After Larry Doby popped out, Al Rosen walked and Vic Wertz added an infield single to load the bases.
At that point, Harnett couldn’t handle a pitch from Lee and the Cubs backstop was charged with a passed ball that allowed Avila to race home.
Rosen ended Lee’s day with a two-run homer in the seventh that put the game away for the Indians.
Game two of the series will be in Chicago at Wrigley Field.
Early Wynn is slated to start for the Indians and he will be opposed by Cubs right hander Lon Warneke.
Second Chance Tournament Results and Schedule
First Round
1954 Cleveland Indians 5, 1935 Chicago Cubs 2
1954 Cleveland Indians at 1935 Chicago Cubs
1935 Chicago Cubs at 1954 Cleveland Indians, if necessary
1962 San Francisco Giants at 1946 Boston Red Sox
1946 Boston Red Sox at 1962 San Francisco Giants
1962 San Francisco Giants at 1946 Boston Red Sox, if necessary
1970 Cincinnati Reds at 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers at 1970 Cincinnati Reds
1970 Cincinnati Reds at 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, if necessary
1965 Minnesota Twins at 1969 Baltimore Orioles
1969 Baltimore Orioles at 1965 Minnesota Twins
1965 Minnesota Twins at 1969 Baltimore Orioles, if necessary