1975 Reds Replay 58: 1971 Pirates

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?

Willie Stargell‘s solo homer in the top of the 11th inning proved to be the difference as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Cincinnati 5-4 at Riverfront Stadium.

Stargell’s blast off Pedro Borbon completed a comeback by the Pirates.

Trailing 4-2 heading into the top of the ninth, Pittsburgh was able to send the contest into extra innings as Manny Sanguillen drove in a pair of runs off Reds closer Rawly Eastwick, who was looking for his 15th save.

The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth when Pirates starting pitcher Luke Walker knocked in the first run with a single off his Reds counterpart Jack Billingham.

Roberto Clemente homered in the sixth and the Pirates led 2-0.

Cincinnati picked up all of its runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Johnny Bench had a RBI single that was followed by a sacrifice fly by George Foster to tie it a 2-2.

Tony Perez drilled a two-run homer to put the Reds on top 4-2.

Billingham tossed two more scoreless innings until he gave up a single to Clemente to begin Pittsburgh’s rally in the ninth.

Eastwick came on and couldn’t keep the Pirates off the scoreboard. Borbon (4-2) went the last two innings and was tagged with the loss.

Nelson Briles took over for Walker as he pitched a perfect eighth frame.

Dave Giusti worked the final three innings to get the victory allowing just a walk to Cesar Geronimo. Giusti faced just nine batters as Geronimo was caught stealing in the ninth.

Clay Kirby (0-1) starts the series finale for the Reds as the Pirates send Bob Moose to the mound.

National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)

East Division
1969 Mets (4-1)
1971 Pirates (2-2)
2016 Cubs (2-2)
1975 Expos (2-4)
2008 Phillies (1-6)
1967 Cardinals (0-3)

West Division
1975 Reds (38-20)
1954 Giants (2-2)
1957 Braves (2-3)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
2017 Astros (2-5)
1975 Padres (1-5)