GM#’S 67, 68. JUNE 20, 1971 VS MONTREAL EXPOS
PIRATES SUFFER WORST LOSS OF YEAR AS THEY SPLIT TWINBILL AND SERIES
First, the good news. Pittsburgh won a high scoring, back and forth battle with the Montreal Expos in the first of two games, winning by a 10-8 score.
Both starters, Bill Stoneman and Steve Blass, had rough starts, with each allowing three runs in the first inning. The score remained tied until the last of the sixth, when the Pirates exploded for four runs, capped by Gene Alley’s, two run home run. With Blass staked to a four run lead, Bucs fans were feeling good, but Mudcat Grant ruined those positive vibes, but quick. He gave up a single run in the top of the seventh, on back to back doubles by pinch hitter, Jim Gosger and Mack Jones. With pitching thin, it was hoped Grant could have a clean eighth, but it was not to be. He was tagged for three more runs and with only one out, was pulled for Dave Giusti. The third Bucs pitcher of the game would get the last two outs in the eighth, but not before surrendering a two bagger to Woods, as the Expos tallied their fourth run of the inning, all charged to Grant.
Mike Marshall toed the slab for Montreal to begin the bottom of the eighth. Pinch hitter, Milt May singled, then Dave Cash worked a base on balls. Richie Hebner then played the hero, with a three run clout, putting Pittsburgh back in front, 10-8. Bob Johnson pitched a one, two, three, top of the ninth, earning the save. WP-Dave Giusti(3-2). LP-Mike Marshall. HR-Boots Day; Gene Alley(5), Richie Hebner(5).
Game two was all Expos, and how. Montreal demolished Pittsburgh, 15-3, in the worst defeat the Pirates have suffered all season. The ball was rattling off the wall in Three Rivers Stadium, like popcorn in a popper all day. Rusty Staub had four hits, Boots Day, John Bateman, Bob Bailey and Gary Sutherland all had three. Staub and Bob Bailey scored three runs apiece. Bailey and Staub each homered in the twenty hit attack. WP-Jim Britton. LP-Nelson Briles(6-3). HR-Bob Bailey, Rusty Staub; Gene Clines(2).
The New York Mets come into Pittsburgh for a three game series, next. Jerry Koosman is scheduled to start for the Mets, with Dock Ellis going for Pittsburgh.
OTHER N.L. EAST SCORES
New York 7 Philadelphia 6
Philadelphia 9 New York 7
St. Louis 5 Chicago 4
STANDINGS, END OF PLAY, JUNE 20
Pittsburgh/68/46/22/.676/—
St. Louis/70/38/31/1/.543/8.5
New York/63/34/29/.540/9.5
Chicago/67/34/33/.507/11.5
Montreal/62/27/34/1/.435/15.5
Philadelphia/65/26/39/.400/18.5
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