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.
Boston will have the opportunity to play in the championships series of the Second Chance Tournament.
The 1946 Red Sox survived a tight battle with a 3-2 victory over the 1954 Cleveland Indians in Fenway Park.
With the two-game sweep in the best of three set, Boston will now face the winner of the 1965 Minnesota Twins-1970 Cincinnati Reds series. The Reds lead one game to none.
Cleveland grabbed an early lead in the top of the first against Boston starter Tex Hughson.
Al Smith led off with a double and one out later Larry Doby sent him home with a single.
Indians starter Early Wynn blanked the Red Sox until the fourth when Wally Moses smacked a home run to tie the contest.
The Indians responded with some help from the Red Sox. An error led to a bases loaded situation and Hughson walked Al Rosen as the Indians took the lead.
In the sixth, Boston was able to tie the game again. Dom DiMaggio doubled singled with one out. After Wynn retired Ted Williams on a fly ball, Rudy York doubled to allow DiMaggio to score from first.
Wynn gave up the final tally of the game in the bottom of the eighth before Don Mossi relieved him.
DiMaggio started the rally with a single and a misplay by Dave Philley in right field allowed him to reach second base.
Williams beat Cleveland’s defensive shift with a single that scored DiMaggio with what turned out to be the game-winning run.
Second Chance Tournament Results and Schedule
Semifinals
1946 Boston Red Sox 6, 1954 Cleveland Indians 4
1946 Boston Red Sox 3, 1954 Cleveland Indians 2
Red Sox win series 2-0
1970 Cincinnati Reds 2, 1965 Minnesota Twins 0
1970 Cincinnati Reds at 1965 Minnesota Twins
1965 Minnesota Twins at 1970 Cincinnati Reds, if necessary
First Round
1954 Cleveland Indians 5, 1935 Chicago Cubs 2
1954 Cleveland Indians 3, 1935 Chicago Cubs 0
Indians win series 2-0
1946 Boston Red Sox 9, 1962 San Francisco Giants 8 (10 innings)
1946 Boston Red Sox 9, 1962 San Francisco Giants 6
Red Sox win series 2-0
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 8, 1970 Cincinnati Reds 5
1970 Cincinnati Reds 4, 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 3
1970 Cincinnati Reds 7, 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 2
Reds win series 2-1
1965 Minnesota Twins 2, 1969 Baltimore Orioles 1
1965 Minnesota Twins 13, 1969 Baltimore Orioles 7
Twins win series 2-0