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:

GTS-1902 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1984 Detroit Tigers

Jesse Tannehill

1902 Pittsburgh Pirates-1
1984 Detroit Tigers-0

In the first game of Interleague play, the Tigers hosted the 1902 Pirates and both pitchers dominated. The Pirates ace Jesse Tannehill pitched a complete game shutout holding the Tigers to a mere 6 hits while Detroit’s Milt Wilcox tossed a solid 9 innings and only surrendered a lone run on a Ginger Beaumont single to center that scored Wid Conroy in the 3^rd. The Tigers lose their third game by a single run and their fourth game overall dropping them to a record of 2-4 and 13^th place in the standings. The 1902 Pirates scored a single run on 7 hits and no errors while the 1984 Tigers put up a goose egg on 6 hits and no errors. Jesse Tannehill is named player of the game going 9 innings with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk. The 1984 Tigers head to St. Louis to take on the 1942 Cardinals in round 6.

Notes:

GTS-1909 Pittsburgh Pirates 5 Round Recap

pirates generic

Precariously hanging onto the 4^th and final playoff spot thanks to a +8 run differential are the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates. After starting out the season strong with a dominating 12 to 2 destruction of their cross state rival 1976 Phillies, the Pirates had single run wins over the 1954 Indians in round 2, 3 to 2, and a close nail biter 5-4 win against the 1961 Yankees in round 5. Back to back 5-3 losses in Oakland in round 3 and in Boston for round 4 have given the Buccos a 3-2 season record through 5 games. Centerfielder Tommy Leach leads the team with 8 hits, 6 runs and 6 RBI’s sporting a .470 batting average while the team’s superstar shortstop Honus Wagner, who has more stolen bases than hits, has struggled so far, batting a disappointing .111. Above average pitching from starters Camnitz and Willis in front of a strong bullpen have kept the 1909 Bucs at the top of a crowded 4 team tie at 3-2. In their next 3 contests, the 1909 Pirates take on the 1974 team of the same name in interleague play, then visit their turn of the century counterpart 1906 Cubs before taking on the 1962 Giants.

GTS-1954 Cleveland Indians at 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates

pirates generic

1954 Cleveland Indians-2
1909 Pittsburgh Pirates-3

Just by looking at the raw numbers it appears impossible that the 1909 Pirates pulled out the victory in this one. Scoring a run in the 2^nd inning without a hit thanks to a walk and an error on Cleveland’s shortstop Strickland, the Pirates tied the game after the Indians put a run on the board in the top of the inning. In the 5^th they took the lead after another walk, a base hit, and a double from Jap Barbeau scored Bill Abstein and Tommy Leach to give the Buccos a 3-1 lead and the game. The Indians scored another in the 8^th, but could not come away with anything more. Thanks to his 2 RBI game winning double in the 5^th, Jap Barbeau takes player of the game distinction. The 1954 Indians scored 2 runs on 8 hits with 1 error. The 1909 Pirates scored 3 runs on 3 hits with 2 errors and somehow pull out the victory.

Notes: Played at Red Canyon on 22 May 2014.

PS-1902 Pittsburgh Pirates at 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates

Don Slaught

1902 Pittsburgh Pirates-5
1992 Pittsburgh Pirates-4

The 1992 Pirates came out quickly with a 4 runs in the first 4 innings scoring single runs in the 2^nd and 3^rd and 2 runs in the 4^th. The 1902 Bucs only scored 1 run in the 2^nd and went down 4-1 at the halfway point in the contest, but continued to battle throughout. Adding 2 runs in the 6^th and another in the 8^th inning to tie the game up going into the 9^th. Tommy Leach knocked a 2 out single that was followed by an infield hit by Claude Ritchey before a timely and disappointing error on Jay Bell allowed Leach to score and the 1902 team to go up by one going into the bottom of the frame. Three easy outs in the bottom of the 9^th sealed the victory for the boys from ’02. The 1902 Pirates win with 5 runs on 12 hits without an error. The 1992 Buccos lose with 4 runs on 8 hits and the error on Bell costing them the game. Despite losing, 1992 Pirates catcher Don Slaught is named player of the game going 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

Notes: Played at Red Canyon on 21 May 2014.