Editor’s note: How good were the 1975 Cincinnati Reds? The best way to end the speculation is to challenge the team with a 162-game season against some great teams. This is a series that will include each game played with the Strat-o-Matic cards and dice, while hoping to reach the 108-54 record that the Reds had that season. Game stories will be published periodically on Press Room Pass through out the year. What’s your predicted victory total?
Cincinnati had its two-game winning streak snapped as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Reds 10-6 at Three Rivers Stadium.
The Reds got started early, but the Pirates quickly responded.
Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench had back-to-back RBI singles to put the Reds on top 2-0 in the first inning against Pittsburgh starter Bob Moose. Later in the frame, Dave Concepcion added a sacrifice fly.
In a rare start behind the plate for Pittsburgh, Milt May blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the first to give the Pirates a 4-3 advantage against Reds pitcher Pat Darcy.
Darcy and Moose were both able to survive until the fifth. Darcy did allow a sacrifive fly to Willie Stargell that gave the Pirates a 5-3.
In the sixth, Moore got two outs before walking Morgan with the bases loaded.
Nelson Briles went to the mound for the Pirates, but couldn’t stop the rally as Bench doubled to drive in two runs as the Reds went in front 6-5.
With Clay Carroll relieving Darcy, the Pirates feasted on the the Reds righty.
Gene Clines singled and swiped second before Richie Hebner drilled a two-run homer to give the Pirates the lead for good at 6-5.
The Pirates sent Carroll to the showers with a RBI double by Al Oliver.
Pedro Borbon didn’t fare much better as run-scoring singles to Gene Alley and Briles, who would end up as the winning pitcher.
Carroll (4-2), was tagged this loss after getting just one out in the sixth.
Don Gullett (15-6) gets the start in the finale of the three-game series for the Reds, while the Pirates are scheduled to have Steve Blass on the mound.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1969 Mets (7-5)
2016 Cubs (5-4)
1971 Pirates (5-6)
1975 Expos (4-8)
1967 Cardinals (3-6)
2008 Phillies (2-10)
West Division
1954 Giants (7-4)
1975 Reds (77-50)
2017 Astros (5-8)
1957 Braves (4-7)
1981 Dodgers (5-9)
1975 Padres (3-11)