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’s offense got going early and the Red Sox were able to hang on for a 6-4 victory over the 1954 Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium in the semifinal round of the Second Chance Tournament.
Wally Moses and Johnny Pesky had back-to-back singles to begin the game for Boston against Cleveland starter Bob Lemon.
After Dom DiMaggio walked to load the bases, Ted Williams grounded into a double play started by Indians second baseman Bobby Avila. With Cleveland’s infield shifted to combat Williams, Moses was able to come home for the first run of the contest.
The Red Sox added three more runs in the third. Pesky and DiMaggio had RBI triples to make it 3-0 and the final tally came on a sacrifice fly by Rudy York.
Cleveland got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third against Boston starter Dave Ferriss as Larry Doby hit a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the fifth, the shift against Williams didn’t matter as he blasted a long homer to right field to put the Red Sox on top 6-1.
Ferriss had some trouble in the sixth as he walked Al Smith with the bases loaded. Avila followed with a run-scoring single and the Indians trailed 6-3.
George Strickland ended the day for Ferriss as he had a RBI double in the eighth, which was the final run of the contest for the Indians.
Bob Klinger tossed the last two frames for Boston to earn a save.
Game two of the semifinal series will be at Fenway Park as Boston sends Tex Hughson to the mound as the Red Sox look for a sweep. The Indians counter with Early Wynn.
Second Chance Tournament Results and Schedule
Semifinals
1946 Boston Red Sox 6, 1954 Cleveland Indians 4
1954 Cleveland Indians at 1946 Boston Red Sox
1946 Boston Red Sox at 1954 Cleveland Indians, if necessary
1965 Minnesota Twins at 1970 Cincinnati Reds
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