Editor’s note: The 1970 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams from 1973-79 when games are played at home. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
It took a long time, but the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates finally completed their comeback in the 12th inning with a 6-5 victory over the 1975 Cincinnati Reds.
With the win, the Pirates advance to the semifinals of the 1970s Diamond Gems Tournament as they are set to entertain the 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers.
Will McEnaney (0-1) was in his first frame on the mound for the Reds when he gave up a one-out single to Manny Sanguillen.
After Gene Alley was retired, McEnaney walked pinch-hitter Gene Clines to set the stage for Dave Cash, who smacked a single as the Pirates took the lead for good.
In the bottom of the 12th, Pittsburgh releiver Bob Veale got Pete Rose and Ken Griffey before Joe Morgan doubled.
Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh called Bob Miller from the bullpen to face Johnny Bench and the Pittsburgh pitcher closed it out as the Reds catcher hit a fly ball to centerfield.
Bruce Kison (1-0) earned the victory with perfect innings in the 10th and 11th with a strikeout.
The Pirates grabbed an early lead against Reds starter Gary Nolan as Richie Hebner tripled and scored on a ground out by Roberto Clemente in the first.
Cincinnati scored all five of its runs against Pittsburgh starter Dock Ellis in the fourth and fifth.
George Foster gave the Reds a 2-1 lead as he drove in both runs with a single in the fourth.
Griffey and Morgan added RBI singles in the fifth as Bench’s sacrifice fly made it 5-1.
A pair of Cincinnati errors in the top of the sixth helped the Pirates tie the contest ay 5-5.
Pinch-hitter Rennie Stennett led off with a triple and he scored on a grounder by Cash.
After the two defensive miscues Morgan and Dave Concepcion, Nolan fanned Willie Stargell.
Unfortunately for the Reds, Nolan couldn’t get the same result with Al Oliver as he drilled a three-run homer to sent the Cincinnati pitcher to the showers.
The score remained the same as each squad had three pitchers keep runners from crossing the plate.
Pittsburgh’s Nelson Briles, Ramon Hernandez and Dave Giusti combined to blank the Reds for four innings, while Pedro Borbon got the last out of the sixth before Clay Carroll and Rawly Eastwick worked five scoreless innings.
1970s Diamond Gems Tournament
Semifinals
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers at 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
Second Round Schedule and Results
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 5, 1979 Montreal Expos 0
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 6, 1975 Cincinnati Reds 5 (12)
1979 Baltimore Orioles at 1975 Boston Red Sox
1970 Minnesota Twins at 1972 Oakland A’s
First Round Results
1979 Montreal Expos 5, 1970 Baltimore Orioles 0
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 5, 1978 Boston Red Sox 1
1975 Cincinnati Reds 3, 1976 Philadelphia Phillies 2
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates 13, 1978 New York Yankees 7
1979 Baltimore Orioles 4, 1972 Cincinnati Reds 3
1975 Boston Red Sox 2, 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers 1
1972 Oakland A’s 3, 1977 Kansas City Royals 1
1970 Minnesota Twins 9, 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates 5