THURS, AUG 18 THRU SUN, AUG 21ST. GM#’S 116-119 CROSLEY FIELD, CINN.
The Pirates kicked off their road trip with a four game series with the Cincinnati Reds. The Bucs and Reds ended up splitting the series. The first two games were close, one run games; the latter two games were more one sided. Here’s the breakdown:
In the opener, Bob Friend started and allowed 3 runs over seven innings, though he did strike out nine. Elroy Face(5-4) came on in the eighth and pitched a clean inning, however, he faltered in the ninth. He gave up two quick singles, got an out on a fielder’s choice, then surrendered a game winning double to Billy Martin. Bill Virdon(8) hit a homerun on the game’s first pitch.
Pittsburgh won the second game, 5-4. Roberto Clemente tripled in the top of the ninth, setting the stage for a go ahead sacrifice fly by Smokey Burgess. Clem Labine(3-0) set the Reds down in order in the last of the ninth to secure the win. Burgess(6) and Rocky Nelson(8) both hit homeruns.
A five run, seventh inning was the story in game three, as Cincinnati powered past Pittsburgh, 9-5. The Reds banged out nine extra base hits, fifteen in all, against Pirate pitching. Jim Umbricht(3-7) was tagged with the loss. Bill Virdon(9) homered for the second time in the series and Dick Stuart belted his (14th).
The finale was all Pirates, as they pounded the Reds, 12-4. The twenty hit attack included a pair of homers by Don Hoak(17, 18) and one by Stuart(15). Stuart, Roberto Clemente and Smokey Burgess each had three hits. Harvey Haddix(9-6) was the winning pitcher.
The Pirates are currently a game and a half behind first place St. Louis, the Milwaukee Braves sit just a half game behind the Cardinals.
Next series: 3 games at Chicago.
National League Standings
St. Louis/118/68/50/.576/—
Milwaukee/115/66/49/.574/.5
Pittsburgh/119/67/52/.563/1.5
Los Angeles/114/61/53/.535/5
San Francisco/116/62/54/.534/5
Cincinnati/119/56/63/471/12.5
Chicago/116/44/72/.379/23
Philadelphia/119/44/75/.370/24.5
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