Game 1: Reds Hold Strong to Defeat Pirates 3-1

 

Thursday, May 16, 2024

CINCINNATI – On a breezy evening at Riverfront Stadium, the Cincinnati Reds took the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates with determination. The Reds showcased their power, with Tony Lazzeri, Andre Dawson, and Sammy Hale each hitting solo home runs that secured a 3-1 victory. The Pirates' offense struggled against Carl Hubbell, who pitched an impressive 8.1 innings, allowing only one run on six hits while striking out six.

 

Andre Dawson, who hit the game’s first home run in the second inning, commented, "I was just looking for a good pitch to drive. Leonard is tough, but I got a hold of one and it felt great."

 

Tony Lazzeri's fifth-inning homer to center field extended the lead to 2-0. "I knew I had to step up. We needed some insurance runs, and I just swung hard," Lazzeri said with a grin.

 

Sammy Hale added another in the same inning, bringing the score to 3-0. Dennis Leonard, despite his solid outing of 7 innings with eight strikeouts, conceded three crucial runs. "Those home runs were tough. I left a few pitches up, and they capitalized," Leonard admitted.

 

The Pirates managed to push across a run in the sixth inning. Brooks Robinson doubled and later scored on John Ward’s single. However, Hubbell remained unfazed, retiring the next nine batters he faced. Turk Lown closed the door in the ninth, inducing a double play to end the game.

 

Game Summary:

• Top 1st-5th: The Pirates struggled early against Hubbell, failing to mount any offense.
• Bottom 2nd: Andre Dawson homers to center. Reds 1-0.
• Bottom 5th: Tony Lazzeri and Sammy Hale hit solo home runs. Reds 3-0.
• Top 6th: Brooks Robinson doubles, scoring on John Ward’s single. Reds 3-1.

Pittsburgh Pirates Batting:

• Brooks Robinson: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 2B
• John Ward: 1-for-4, 1 RBI
• Mike Mordecai: 1-for-3

Cincinnati Reds Batting:

• Andre Dawson: 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
• Tony Lazzeri: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
• Sammy Hale: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching:

• Dennis Leonard: 7 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 HR, 8 SO
• Dave Stied: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 SO

Cincinnati Reds Pitching:

• Carl Hubbell: 8.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
• Turk Lown: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER

 

Game 2: Pirates Bounce Back with 5-2 Victory

 

Friday, May 17, 2024

CINCINNATI – The Pirates retaliated in Game 2, coming out swinging and securing a 5-2 victory. Larry Parrish was the hero of the day, hitting two home runs and driving in three runs. Pittsburgh’s bats were on fire, accumulating 15 hits.

"We needed to come out strong after last night's game," said Parrish. "I was seeing the ball well and just trying to make solid contact."

 

Terry Mulholland pitched effectively for Pittsburgh, going six innings and allowing two runs on nine hits. The bullpen, led by Lee Meadows, was lights out, not giving up a hit over the last three innings.

 

The Pirates scored four runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Parrish and a two-RBI double by Mule Haas. Parrish added another solo shot in the third inning, extending the lead to 5-0.

 

Cincinnati’s Ed Figueroa had a rough outing, surrendering five runs on 13 hits in six innings. Despite Ron Gant's two-run homer in the fourth inning, the Reds couldn't muster a comeback. "It was a tough loss. We had chances, but Mulholland kept us off balance," Gant noted.

 

Game Summary:

• Top 2nd: G. Brown doubles; L. Parrish homers. Pirates 2-0. J. Ward singles; M. Haas doubles, 2 runs score. Pirates 4-0.
• Top 3rd: L. Parrish homers. Pirates 5-0.
• Bottom 4th: B. Dickey singles; R. Gant homers. Pirates 5-2.
• Top 5th-9th: Pirates' bullpen holds the Reds scoreless.

 

Pittsburgh Pirates Batting:

• Larry Parrish: 3-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI
• Mule Haas: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI
• Brooks Robinson: 2-for-4

 

Cincinnati Reds Batting:

• Ron Gant: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
• Bill Dickey: 1-for-4
• Bob Meusel: 3-for-4

 

Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching:

• Terry Mulholland: 6 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
• Lee Meadows: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER

 

Cincinnati Reds Pitching:

• Ed Figueroa: 6 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 6 SO
• Pat Malone: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER

 

Game 3: Reds Take Series with 3-1 Win

 

Saturday, May 18, 2024

CINCINNATI – In the final game of the series, the Reds clinched the series with a 3-1 victory, thanks to a three-run third inning. Earl Wilson delivered a stellar performance, pitching 7.1 innings and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six.

 

"I had my stuff today," said Wilson. "The defense played great behind me, and it felt good to get the win."

Monte Irvin was once again instrumental, doubling in the third to score George Grantham and Bill Meusel. Bill Dickey’s single brought home Irvin, giving the Reds a 3-0 lead.

 

Greg Maddux pitched well for the Pirates but was let down by a lack of offensive support. "We had some chances, but we couldn’t get the big hit," Maddux reflected.

 

Frank Robinson provided Pittsburgh’s lone highlight with a solo homer in the fourth inning. Rod Dibble closed out the game for the Reds, striking out the side in the ninth.

 

Game Summary:

• Bottom 3rd: G. Grantham singles; B. Meusel walks; M. Irvin doubles, 2 runs score. Reds 2-0. B. Dickey singles, Irvin scores. Reds 3-0.
• Top 4th: F. Robinson homers. Reds 3-1.
• Bottom 7th: Reds' bullpen holds strong.

 

Pittsburgh Pirates Batting:

• Frank Robinson: 1-for-3, 1 HR
• Larry Parrish: 1-for-4
• George Sisler: 1-for-3

 

Cincinnati Reds Batting:

• Monte Irvin: 3-for-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
• Bill Dickey: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
• George Grantham: 2-for-4

 

Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching:

• Greg Maddux: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO
• Schoolboy Rowe: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER

 

Cincinnati Reds Pitching:

• Earl Wilson: 7.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
• Rod Dibble: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 SO

 

Series MVP: Monte Irvin

Monte Irvin was a key player for the Reds throughout the series, batting .545 with four RBIs and providing clutch hits in critical moments. "It's always great to contribute to the team’s success," Irvin said. "We played some good baseball, and I’m happy to be part of it."