1975 Reds Replay 59: 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?

Pittsburgh capped a two game series sweep of Cincinnati with a 4-1 victory over the Reds at Riverfront Stadium.

Bob Moose tossed a four-hitter for the Pirates as he allowed a sacrifice fly in the second inning to his mound counterpart Clay Kirby. He fanned three and walked one in eight innings before giving way to Dave Giusti, who was able to earn a save with a perfect ninth.

Down 1-0, Roberto Clemente‘s homer leading off the fourth inning against Kirby (0-2) tied the contest.

In the sixth, a two-run double by Manny Sanguillen gave the Pirates a 3-1 advantage.

The Pirates picked up their final tally in the ninth against Will McEnaney as Al Oliver‘s pinch-hit single scored Sanguillen, who had doubled to start the frame.

Clemente led the Pirates with three hits.

Kirby went seven innings giving up three runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Next up for the Reds is a two-game set with St. Louis as the homestand comes to a close.

Pat Darcy (5-2) is scheduled to start for the Reds as they look to better their 2-4 mark during the current stretch at home.

Larry Jaster gets the ball from Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst.

National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)

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

West Division
1975 Reds (38-21)
1954 Giants (2-2)
1957 Braves (2-3)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
2017 Astros (2-5)
1975 Padres (1-5)