Game 1 in Pittsburgh
Camilo Pascual (13-9, 3.22) v Denny Lemaster (18-4, 3.03)
Perhaps the most important thing for us about getting that Game 161 clinch was that it allowed us to rest
Patata to go in this one. They have no such luxury and are “forced” to go with Denny Lemaster, who has bounced back strongly after a slight sophomore slump in ’63. Of course, his 1962 campaign was up there with the best by a rookie, 7 pWAR and both the Johnson-Waddell and RoY awards. So he can pitch all right, don't you worry about that.
They give us exactly the sort of Game 1 you’d expect, with both generally in control and the scores tight throughout. Tied at 3 in regulation, we finally get home in the 10th on a walkoff single by Donn Clendenon, who had also gone solo deep earlier in the game. A high-quality start to this series.
Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Bob Veale (16-8, 3.38) v Whitey Ford (12-12, 3.47)
Pirates lead series 1-0
Just to break the fourth wall for a sec, I find it awesomely ironic that in this timeline, it is with the BoSox rather than the Yanks that Whitey Ford gets to make his first playoff appearance at the ripe old age of 35. He’s lost some of his zip by now but still as all the guile you need to get your share of wins, and we expect him to really test us today. Bob Veale goes for us and, as always, it is just a matter of him spotting his pitches. If he gets wild and puts men on base all game then we are in strife against this mob.
He does precisely the opposite, not giving up a hit until the 5th and only two all up in a commanding performance as the only run of the game, driven in by Felipe Alou in the 1st, proves the difference. Ford is superb as well, holding us to just 4 hits – three of which, including two doubles, come off the bat of a red-hot Donn Clendenon – and they’ll be extremely disappointed they wasted it. Two ripper games from two that highlight how closely-matched these two squads are.
Game 3 in Boston
Luis Tiant (12-12, 3.10) v Bob Friend (13-11, 2.50)
Pirates lead series 2-0
What a study in opposites this game should be as we get the wily veteran Bob Friend against the fiery flamethrowing rookie Luis Tiant. Our scouts like him much better than his 12-12 record implies and they see no reason why he’ll struggle under the pressure in this one. Ahhh the confidence of youth.
And boy are they on the mark as “El Tiant” fans 12 in another pitching heavy thriller that, this time, the result of which goes against us as the BP blows the save and they walk it off with a deuce in the bottom 9th.
The bats do wake up a little bit in this one, with the two lineups combining for 22 hits, but they don’t do as much with them as they might, as the 4-3 final indicates. Warrior helps his own cause with a 2-run double in the 5th and Clendenon adds 2 more hits to his growing total, but we need to be far more efficient for the remainder. Pops Stargell is 0-for-11 to this point.
Game 4 in Boston
Don Mossi (11-8, 2.82) v Juan Pizarro (14-9, 3.27)
Pirates lead series 2-1
Southpaws do battle here with Juan Pizarro facing veteran Don Mossi, who has had a sensational late-career renaissance going 31-15 over the past two seasons. That’s no fluke and, just like Ford is a result of him increasing the craftiness as the velo tails off a bit. Their top-rated defence behind him is another key factor. We historically have had problems with his type and will really need to make every post a winner today. I’ve benched Pops today to try and give them a rev up, with Matty Alou starting in LF.
The boys step up big time here, posting 4 early and controlling the game from there to record a strong 6-1 win. Pizarro World, making a bit of a rep for himself as a big-game pitcher, is strong over 8, while Clemente knocks in a pair and Demeter goes solo yard. Nearly there.
Game 5 in Boston
Camilo Pascual (1-0, 2.57) v Mickey Lolich (0-1, 3.86)
Pirates lead series 3-1
What have these two aces got for us today with everything on the line? We’ve been here a few times before and know that the last thing you want to be doing is allowing your opponent to head home with a win under their belt and no room for error. I trust the lads understand this and will do everything in their power not to let it happen. Hal Smith in against the lefty for a struggling Blanchard, for whom a win will mean his Pirates career ends today.
This game is everything that one imagined it would be but sadly doesn’t end how we hoped it would end as they dig deep and eke out a 4-2 win that sends us back to Motown.
The game remains scoreless thru 6 before the two sides swap deuces over the next couple and, with both bullpens deployed by this point, they regain the lead with 2 more in the top 9th and close it out without incident. The boys give their all and there’s nothing you can do in games like this where you were simply beaten by a better team on the day than doff your cap and move on.
