GTS-1975 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1962 Los Angeles Dodgers

Ron Perranoski

1975 Pittsburgh Pirates-3
1962 Los Angeles Dodgers-4

How the Dodgers pulled this one out I will never know. The 1975 Pirates dominated in every facet of the game except the scoreboard and, despite a valiant attempt, came up a single run short of victory. With an RBI single from Roseboro and a 2 RBI base hit to left from Maury Wills, the Dodgers took an early 3 run lead in the 2^nd. Despite solid pitching from Jerry Ruess of the Pirates, Los Angeles added a fourth run in the 6^th. The Pirates attempted the comeback, scoring runs in the 6^th, 7^th and 9^th, but ultimately failed in their attempt when, with runners on second and third, Manny Sanguillen grounded out to short to end the game. With their victory the Dodgers improve their record to 3 and 3 and move into ??? place. Los Angeles scored 4 runs on only 5 hits without an error while the 1975 Pirates could only put up 3 runs on 13 hits and no errors. Despite giving up a run, Ron Perranoski is named player of the game thanks to earning the save in spite of the Buccos comeback. Round 6 sees the 1962 Dodgers facing off against the 1946 Red Sox.

GTS-1909 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1974 Pittsburgh Pirates

Honus Wagner

1909 Pittsburgh Pirates-4
1974 Pittsburgh Pirates-3

In the 50^th game of the Great Teams Season, two Pirates teams separated by 65 years battled it out in an exciting contest. The 1974 Pirates looked primed to take the game after an RBI single from Willie Stargell in the 1^st, an RBI double in the 4^th from Taveras, and another RBI single in the 5^th from Richie Hebner. Down 3 to 2 in the top of the 9^th, the 1909 Bucs saw a leadoff single from Fred Clarke start a comeback that ended with RBI singles from Dots Miller and Chief Wilson to put Pirates of the first decade of the 20^th century on top 4-3 before a fly out to right ended their half of the inning. With runners on first and third with 2 outs in the bottom of the inning, Babe Adams secured himself a win after Al Oliver groundout to Honus Wagner to end the game. Wagner closed out the game and also takes player of the game distinction going 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s, a double, a triple, and scoring the winning run. The 1909 Pirates take the victory with 4 runs on 10 hits and 1 error and move back into 4^th place in the standings. The 1974 Pirates lose with 3 runs on 9 hits without an error. In Round 6 the 1909 Pirates take on the 1906 Cubs in a dead ball era battle.

GTS-1972 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1975 Cincinnati Reds

Bob Moose

1972 Pittsburgh Pirates-13
1975 Cincinnati Reds-1

In what was expected to be one of the most exciting matchups in interleague play, the 1975 Reds took on their 1970’s playoff rival Pirates. Defeating them in both the 1972 and 1975 NLCS, the Reds expected a hard fought game, but with a victorious outcome. Sadly, they were mistaken as the 1972 Pirates routed the Big Red Machine, 13-1. With the exception of the pitcher, every Pirate scored a run during the game thanks to a 3 run 4^th, a 2 run 9^th, and a devastating 8 run 7^th for which Cincinnati could not answer. Three Pirates hitters tallied 3 hits apiece, Richie Hebner led the team with 4 RBI’s and Roberto Clemente scored 3 runs himself. The only standout for the Reds was first baseman Tony Perez who went 4 for 4 with a double. With all of the offense on display from the Bucs it was difficult to pick a single standout player, but Pirates pitcher Bob Moose earns the honor pitching a complete game while surrendering 1 run on 6 hits and accounting for 12 strikeouts. The Reds drop to ??? place with a record of 2 and 4 after putting up 1 run, 6 hits, no errors, and suffering an embarrassing loss. The 1972 Pirates scored 13 runs on 15 hits without an error. The 1975 Reds try to get back into the season as they take on the 1-5 Twins in Round 6.

GTS-1962 San Francisco Giants at 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates

Steve Blass

1962 San Francisco Giants-1
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates-6

For a team averaging 6.4 runs a game so far this season, the 1962 Giants looked deflated as they faced off against Steve Blass and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates. Managing only 1 run on a Tom Haller home run in the 7^th inning, the Giants sat back and watched as the Pirates score 3 runs in the 3^rd from a Dave Cash ground out to third and a Willie Stargell 2 run home run just over the fence in right field. Dave Cash added another RBI from a 1 out double in the 5^th and Manny Sanguillen blasted a 2 RBI triple to center field in the 8^th to account for the Pirates’ fifth and sixth runs. Pirates’ pitcher Steve Blass went 8 innings giving up 1 run on 7 hits with 8 strikeouts and is awarded player of the game. The 1962 Giants scored 1 run on 7 hits with 1 error while the Bucs score 6 runs on 9 hits with no errors. The 1962 now stand at 2-4 and currently drop into 12th place. Things do not get easier for them as they take on the 1^st place Mets in Round 6.

GTS-1970 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1986 New York Mets

Roberto Clemente

1970 Pittsburgh Pirates-3
1986 New York Mets-6

While the 1970 Pirates, who had nearly 20 less regular season wins than their opponent, put up a valiant fight in the early innings , the 1^st place Mets just proved too much to handle. The 1986 Mets jumped out to an early 1 run lead thanks to a Gary Carter solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd, but it proved short lived as Roberto Clemente knocked a 2 run shot in the top of the 3^rd. The Mets made that 2 to 1 lead short lived as they scored another run in the bottom of the frame. The scored remained tied, 2-2, going into the bottom of the 6^th when the Mets had some walks, some singles, and back to back to back doubles from Wilson, Knight, and Hernandez giving them a 6-2 lead. Roberto Clemente hit another home run, this time a solo blast, in the top of the 8th, but it was not nearly enough for the comeback. The 1970 Bucs scored 3 runs on a meazly 5 hits while surrendering zero errors. The 86 Mets scored 6 on 14 hits and 2 errors. Accounting for every RBI of the game for the Pirates while going 2 for 4 with 2 homers, Roberto Clemente in named player of the game and becomes the first player from a losing team to earn that distinction in interleague play. The Mets remain in first place and will take on the 1962 Giants in their next matchup.

GTS-1976 Philadelphia Phillies at 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates

Mike Schmidt

1976 Philadelphia Phillies-6
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates-3

Haunted by memories of opening day when the Phillies were beaten 12 to 2 against the 1909 Pirates, Philadelphia traveled to take on Pittsburgh again, but this time it was against the 1960 championship team and they got the redemption they so badly needed. Down 3 to 2 in the top of the 9^th inning and facing Pirates closer Roy Face, the Phillies came back and scored 4 runs off of doubles by Luzinski and Schmidt and a single by Cash to give them a 6-3 lead. Tug McGraw came in for the save and closed out the game on 3 straight batters in the bottom of the frame handing Philly a much needed win. Mike Schmidt earns player of the game distinction going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s which included his game winning double. The Phillies scored 6 on 17 hits and a wild throw error that gave up a run by Larry Bowa. The 1960 Pirates scored 3 runs on 11 hits and no errors. Philadelphia now move from 14^th to 8^th place and will battle the 1975 Oakland A’s in their next game.

GTS-1927 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1975 Oakland Athletics

Ray Kremer

1927 Pittsburgh Pirates-2
1975 Oakland Athletics-0

Another pitching duel occurred in Oakland as the 1927 Pirates shut out the 1975 A’s. Pirates’ starter Ray Kremer pitched a superb game going the full 9 innings and no hitting Oakland for the first five innings before giving up a leadoff single, his first hit of the season, in the bottom of the 6^th to Sal Bando. Kenny Holtzman also pitched solidly for the A’s and the game remained scoreless going into the top of the 7^th when Paul Waner hit a double to center field that scored his brother Lloyd and first basemen Joe Harris. Two runs proved to be all the Pirates could get, but in the end it was enough. The 1927 Pirates scored 2 runs on the P. Waner double which was only 1 of the 10 hits Pittsburgh accumulated without a single error. The 1975 Oakland Athletics could not manage any runs on a meager 4 hits without an error. Because of his strong pitching performance, Ray Kremer is named player of the game pitching 9 innings with a 4 hit, 4 strikeout shutout. Oakland, currently in 14^th place, remains at home in Round 6 where they take on the 1976 Philadelphia Phillies.

Notes:

GTS-1965 Minnesota Twins at 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates

Kiki Cuyler

1965 Minnesota Twins-7
1925 Pittsburgh Pirates-9

In the first high scoring affair of interleague play, the 1925 Pirates came up big despite a solid comeback from Minnesota. The Bucs started off quick and strong, scoring the first 3 of the batting order in the bottom of the 1st inning, but the Twins would not go down lightly scoring 1 in the 2^nd and 1 in the 3^rd off of a groundout and a single respectively. With the score too close for comfort at 3-2, the Pirates decided to drive in some more, accounting for 2 more runs in the 5^th and 3 in the 6^th forcing Minnesota to go through relievers consistently. The runs continued coming for both teams with the Twins dropping 2 in the 7^th and the Pirates scoring an insurance run off of a Max Carey in the park home run in the bottom of the 8^th. In the top of the 9^th, down 9 to 4, Minnesota made of run of it with a 3 run shot to right field by Tony Oliva, followed by 2 more base hits that put the go ahead run at the plate. Jimmie Hall could not get the job done however, ending the game on a fly out to the catcher. Minnesota piled up 7 runs on 18 hits with 0 errors, but the 1925 Pirates get the win with 9 runs on 15 hits with 1 error. Player of the game honor goes to Kiki Cuyler for the Pirates who went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s, 2 stolen bases, and 2 runs scored. The Twins remain in last place. Next on the schedule for Minnesota is a home game against the 1975 Cincinnati Reds.

Notes:

GTS-2015 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1969 Baltimore Orioles

Dave Johnson

2015 Pittsburgh Pirates-3
1969 Baltimore Orioles-5

The potent offense of the Orioles was on display again as they hosted the 2015 Pirates. Second baseman Dave Johnson hit a 2 run homer in the second and Don Buford added run number 3 on a single to left field shortly thereafter. In the third the Orioles knocked Pirates starter Gerrit Cole out of the game after only 2.1 innings pitched because of another 2 run shot by Paul Blair giving Baltimore a 5 run lead by the end of the 3^rd inning. The Pirates battled back with a 2 RBI single by Sean Rodriguez in the 6^th and an RBI single by Gregory Polanco in the top of the 8^th, but 3 runs was all they could manage. The 2015 Pirates scored 3 runs on 14 hits with no errors, but drop the game to Baltimore’s 5 runs on 11 hits and no errors. Despite being knocked out of the game after a collision with the pitcher, Dave Johnson earns player of the game honors going 2 for 2 with a home run and 2 RBI’s. The 1969 Orioles remain in 2^nd place and take on the 1961 Yankees who look to hand Baltimore their second defeat of the season.

Game Notes

Date Played: 20 Nov 2018
Venue: Soothing Meadows
Game Duration: Unknown
2B: Gregory Polanco, Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Aramis Ramirez
3B: None
HR: Paul Blair, Dave Johnson
TB: Dave Johnson (5), Gregory Polanco (4), Paul Blair (4), Neil Walker (3), Jung Ho Kang (3), Andrew McCutchen (2), Starling Marte (2), Aramis Ramirez (2), Sean Rodriguez (2), Don Buford (2), Elond Hendrick (2), Frank Robinson, Chico Salmon, Brooks Robinson, Bobby Floyd
SH: None
SF: None
IBB: None
HBP: Starling Marte
With RISP: Pittsburgh 3-11, Baltimore 2-5
GIDP: Brooks Robinson, Francisco Cervelli
RBI: Sean Rodriguez (2), Paul Blair (2), Dave Johnson (2), Gregory Polanco, Don Buford,
R: Jung Ho Kang (2), Aramis Ramirez, Frank Robinson, Paul Blair, Chico Salmon, Dave Johnson, Elrond Hendricks
Team LOB: Pittsburgh-13, Baltimore-7
E: None
DP: Ramirez-Walker-Rodriguez, Belanger-Johnson-Powell
Outfield Assists: None
PB: None
SB: Gregory Polanco
CS: Starling Marte
Picked Off: None
Win: Jim Palmer
Loss: Jared Hughes
Save: Dick Hall
Balks: None
WP: None
HBP: Dave Leonhard
IBB: None
Pickoffs: None
Additonal Notes: None

GTS-1961 New York Yankees at 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates

Bill Skowron

1961 New York Yankees-6
1903 Pittsburgh Pirates-0

In an unusual scorecard, the Yankees crush the 1903 pennant winning Pirates with more runs than hits. Pirates’ pitcher Sam Leever got himself into trouble in the top of the 4^th inning after 2 walks and a base hit gave the Yankees a bases loaded situation before third string left fielder Hector Lopez knocked a single that scored Mantle and Skowron for a 2 to nothing Yankees lead. Leever found himself in the same exact situation in the 8^th inning, but instead of a base hit, Moose Skowron killed a 2-1 spitball over the left field wall for a grand slam and a 6 run insurmountable lead. The 1961 Yankees win with 6 runs on 5 hits and no errors and move into playoff position in 4^th place with a 4-2 record. The 1903 Pirates were shutout with 8 hits and no errors. Bill Skowron is named player of the game going 2 for 3 with a grand slam and 4 RBI’s. In Round 6’s marquee matchup, the 1969 Baltimore Orioles visit New York to take on the Yankees.

Notes: