9/7 Expo Park/Forbes Field Era: Hot Hans, Rally Caps, On A Roll, Hearn Bookends & More...

• 1905 - In his home debut, rookie Lefty Leifield gave up three runs in the first, then settled into a groove until tiring and surrendering three more runs in the ninth frame as the Bucs rolled to an 11-7 win over the Reds at Exposition Park. Fred Clarke banged out four hits while Honus Wagner and Heinie Peitz added three apiece, with Hans swatting a double and triple.
• 1908 - Led by Honus Wagner’s 6-for-7 day at the plate, including five straight hits, a double, triple and sacrifice, the Pirates swept St. Louis 9-7 and 7-1 at Exposition Park to move within percentage points of the league leading NY Giants. Sam Leever won the opener while Vic Willis scattered eight singles to take the second match.
• 1925 - Pittsburgh won for the 17th time in 20 games when they defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-5 at Forbes Field in the opener of a twin bill. Kiki Cuyler went 4-for-5 with a double and triple while every Pirate in the lineup had a hit. Red Oldham gave up 15 hits, but went the distance for the win. The Cubs banged out 16 more hits in the second game to gain a 9-8 split.

Red Oldham (photo Conlon Collection/Getty)

• 1940 - The Bucs scored eight runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth to rally past the Cardinals 14-9. Arky Vaughan‚ Terry Moore‚ and Vince DiMaggio all homered as Vaughan and DiMaggio combined for seven RBI at Sportsman’s Park.
• 1942 - In the opener of a twinbill at Forbes Field, the Pirates scored 11 runs in the sixth inning to set a modern club mark and overcome a 5-0 deficit against the Cards to rally for an 11-6 win. They didn't have an inning that big again until 1992. Bud Stewart led the attack with two hits, three RBI and a pair of runs. Murry Dickson faced two batters and didn’t get an out, but was credited with the win; the guy that relieved him, Howie Pollet, gave up four runs in ⅓ of an inning so Dickson was deemed more effective. The Bucs dropped the nitecap 6-4.
• 1948 - The Pirates chased Jim Hearn after two innings on the way to a 6-2 win at Forbes Field. The game was noteworthy as it took Pittsburgh six more years and a dozen losses before they claimed another win against the St. Louis righty.
• 1953 - The Pirates swept a twin bill for the first time that year‚ beating the NY Giants 9-7 and 5-3 at the Polo Grounds. Eddie Pellagrini had four hits‚ including a HR‚ to back Bob Friend in the opener. Lefty LaPalme was the winner in the nitecap as the Bucs beat Jim Hearn after 12 straight defeats at his hands. His last loss to the Bucs was exactly six years ago to the day.

Eddie Pellagrini (photo via Out of the Park Development)

• 1962 - Bill Mazeroski hit a grand slam and drove home six runs to prime a 10-1 Bucco win against LA’s Stan Williams at Dodger Stadium. Earl Francis tossed a four hit, complete game victory against the league-leading Dodgers.