The Green Weenie: 5/8 TRS-PNC Park Era: Willie Bomb, Drabek Gem, AVS On Fire, Rockie Rockets, Walk-Off, Bye-Bye Johnny

Monday, May 8, 2017

1973 - For the second time in his career‚ Willie Stargell drove a ball out of Dodger Stadium. His blast off Andy Messersmith flew over the 50-foot high right field roof, 470’ away, and was one of two four-baggers for Pops, who was the only player to ever launch a ball out of that park.

Doug Drabel 1988 Topps Big

1988 - Doug Drabek took a no-hitter into the ninth before allowing a pinch-hit, infield single to Randy Ready and a home run to ex-Pirate Marvell Wynne‚ winning a 6-2 decision over the Padres at TRS. Bobby Bonilla had three hits to lead the Pirate offense. Whether by coincidence or not, SS Al Pendrique, the player who couldn’t convert Ready’s infield hit, was demoted to AAA Buffalo and replaced by hot shot SS prospect Felix Fermin.
1994 - Andy Van Slyke went 8-for-9 during the Pirates' 9-2 and 9-3 doubleheader sweep of the Cubs at TRS with a homer, double, five runs scored and four RBI. The Bucs took the first game behind Paul Wagner as Lance Parrish added three RBI. The nightcap was won by Zane Smith, with a four RBI outing by Brian Hunter.
1997 - Jason Kendall's bases loaded double was the big blow in a Bucco eight run fourth frame as Pittsburgh outlasted Colorado 10-8. Mark Johnson had three hits and Al Martin and Kevin Elster added homers for the Bucs‚ which scored 24 runs on 31 hits in their two games at Coors Field. Love that mountain air!

Rod Barajas 2012 Topps

2012 - In a see-saw game at PNC Park, Washington’s Adam LaRoche erased a 3-2 ninth inning Pirate lead by blasting a two-run homer off Joel Hanrahan. But the Bucs had an answer. With two down in their half, Rod Barajas took a 2-0 Henry Rodriguez heater deep to left, scoring Alex Presley ahead of him, to pull out a 5-4 walk-off Pittsburgh win over the Nats. Tony Watson faced two batters to get the victory.
2013 - After being DFA'ed on April 30th, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, who broke camp with the Pirates as a fifth starter after a rash of injuries felled the other back-end contenders, was released. He went 0-3 with a 11.85 ERA and gave up 25 hits, including seven home runs, in 13-2/3 IP.