Tuesday, July 18, 2017

7/18 From the 60s Forward: Hat Off, 11 Straight, Charlie Gems, Top O' the World, King Salami, Game Stories

  • 1964 - The Milwaukee Braves got blown out at County Stadium, losing 8-2 to the Pirates, paced by Bob Bailey and Roberto Clemente’s three hits to back Bob Veale’s seven hitter. The Bucs also helped Brave legend Warren Spahn reach a milestone. Seven of Pittsburgh's 15 hits came against the southpaw, who lasted just 3-2/3 frames, but he managed to complete his 5,000th MLB inning, putting him in an elite group; he still ranks eighth all-time in IP (sixth since post-1900) and joined a club with just a dozen other 5K workhorse members. The Hall-of-Famer usually fared better against the Buccos; he beat them 49 times over his two-decade career. 
Harry "The Hat" 1966 Topps
  • 1967 - Harry “The Hat” Walker was fired as manager when the Bucs started out 42-42, despite winning 182 games and finishing third in back-to-back seasons. Old standby Danny Murtaugh returned to the bench in his stead. 
  • 1971 - The Bucs won their eleventh straight game when they swept a DH from the Dodgers, 3-2 and 7-1 at TRS. The Pirates took the opener when Gene Alley opened the ninth with a triple and plated on Gene Clines tapper. Richie Hebner and Milt May homered in the nitecap. Luke Walker had a no hitter going into the ninth during the second game, losing the no-no on a homer to Joe Ferguson. 
  • 1990 - Jeff King hit his first career grand slam and added five RBI to lead the Pirates to an 11-2 win over San Francisco at Three Rivers Stadium. Doug Drabek allowed two runs in eight innings while improving to 11-4 on the season. 
Jeff King 1990 Leaf
  • 2000 - The Bucs snapped a six game losing streak with an 8-6 win over LA at Dodger Stadium. The Pirates scored five times in the first two innings, but the Dodgers came back with a six spot in the third. The Bucs prevailed thanks to three RBI days from Jason Kendall and Wil Cordero, both whom also homered. Five Pirate relievers combined to toss seven innings of scoreless three hit ball to cement the win, which went to Jose Manzanillo. 
  • 2009 - Charlie Morton went seven innings of three-hit ball to stop the Giants 2-0 at PNC Park. Matt Capps made it exciting, putting runners on second and third with an out in the ninth, but came back to get a K and grounder to preserve the win. Ryan Doumit scored and had an RBI to provide some spark to the attack. 
  • 2011 - The Pirates took a 2-0 decision at PNC Park against Cincinnati as Charlie Morton tossed a three hitter against the Reds. The Bucs played small ball in the fourth for the win. Chase d’Arnaud and Neil Walker led off with singles against Dontrelle Willis, with Walker taking second behind the play when the throw was aimed at d’Arnaud going to third. Andrew McCutchen’s tapper drove in one run and Matt Diaz’s sac fly another, and that was the day’s offensive output. 
Charlie Morton 2011 Topps Diamond
  • 2012 - The Pirates spent their last day tied for the top of the NL Central after taking a 9-6 decision from the Rockies at Coors Field. Garrett Jones, Pedro Alvarez, Casey McGehee and Rod Barajas homered for the Bucs. The Buccos collapsed like a house of cards after that, going 28-43 the rest of the way to finish with 79 wins for their 20th consecutive losing campaign.

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