Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Philadelphia Phillies 1
(This game was the result of a simulation done through What If Sports. It matched the Philadelphia Phillies All-Time Team against the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Time Team. This game did not actually happen.)
Steve Carlton threw seven strong innings, but it wasn’t enough for the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat their interstate rival to the tune of 4–1 at Three Rivers Stadium. Carlton struck out six in seven innings and only allowed two earned runs. On the other side, starter Babe Adams struck out four and allowed one earned run in the first.
Ashburn Alley
The momentum started to swing in the way of the Philadelphia Phillies as center fielder Richie Ashburn opened the scoring with a solo shot in just the second at-bat of the game. A double by third basemen Mike Schmidt made Adams nervous, but he was able to get out of the inning thanks to pop-flys by Dick Allen and Bobby Abreu. The Phillies ended the inning with a 1–0 lead. In the top of the second, the bottom of the order the Phillies had runners in scoring position with one out.
After Chase Utley singled, Jimmy Rollins reached first on an error the next play, catcher Bob Boone lined into a fielder’s choice and Ryan Howard was hit by the pitch in the next at-bat. Unfortunately, the Phillies were not able to bring them in leaving the bases loaded. Lead-off hitter Ed Delahanty struck out and Richie Ashburn hit a ground ball right to Pittsburgh first baseman Willie Stargell.
A Steel Curtain
After failing to gain momentum in the first inning, the Pirates opened their scoring in the bottom of the second. After a ground ball from right fielder Roberto Clemente, shortstop Arky Vaughan hit a solo home run over the left-center field wall in the next at-bat. With a 1–1 tie in the bottom of the second, Bill Mazeroski hit a single up the middle. Unfortunately, Ralph Kiner failed to advance the runner as he hit a fly ball to center fielder Richie Ashburn.
A Defensive Turn
Following the second inning, the game turned into a battle of defenses as both starters shut the door. In the top of the third, Babe Adams struck out the heart of the Phillies’ lineup consisting of Mike Schmidt, Dick Allen, and Bobby Abreu. Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton responded with ground balls from Max Carey, Honus Wagner, and Barry Bonds in the bottom half. The game remained tied 1–1 after four. That didn’t stop Phillies lead-off hitter Chase Utley from getting to third after being hit by a pitch. For the Pirates, Stargell opened the fourth with a double but was left on base after Jason Kendall grounded into a double play.
In the fifth inning, the Phillies started with the heart of the order once again, but it was to no avail. Mike Schmidt hit a fly ball to left field, Dick Allen hit a ground ball to second, and Bobby Abreu hit a fly ball to right field and the Phillies are retired in order. The Pirates reached a similar result in their half of the fifth. After a strikeout from Bill Mazeroski, Ralph Kiner reached first on an error. In the next at-bat, Max Carey grounded into a fielder’s choice and Honus Wagner hit a grounder to the first basemen, Dick Allen.
The Home Team Prevails
To start the bottom of the sixth, Left Fielder Barry Bonds hit a line drive over the left-field fence. The home run allowed the Pirates to take the lead 2–1. After Stargell received a walk, Steve Carlton struck out Roberto Clemente and Vaughan hit a ground ball to third base. Eventually, Carlton got out of the inning with a strikeout to Ralph Kiner. After Adams left in the sixth, it was smooth sailing for the bullpen. Roy Face and Kent Tekulve pitched a combined three scoreless innings.
Following a good seventh from Steve Carlton, Tug McGraw came on in relief. Unfortunately, McGraw did not have a great eighth inning. Willie Stargell opened the inning with a solo home run to left. The next batter Roberto Clemente reached base with a walk. After two fielder’s choices from Kendall and Mazeroski, Clemente scored to make the game 4–1 for Pittsburgh. With the Phillies failing to muster anything up in the ninth, the game ended in a 4–1 win for the Pirates.
Looking Ahead for the Pirates
Following the decisive victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Time team, the Pirates will play the winner of the Chicago Cubs All-Time Team and the Colorado Rockies All-Time Team. As the fourth seed in the National League, the Pirates will play their next game at Three Rivers Stadium.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
Steve Carlton, Babe Adams, Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt, Dick Allen, Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Bob Boone, Ed Delahanty, Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente, Arky Vaughan, Bill Mazeroski, Ralph Kiner, Jason Kendall, Max Carey, Barry Bonds, Roy Face, Kent Tekulve, Tug McGraw
