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Cincinnati Reds Sweep Pirates. Face Red Sox in 1975 World Series

October 7th, 2005 | Brian

National League Championship Series Game 3

October 7, 1975 Reds 5, Pirates 3 (10 innings) Reds Win Best of Five Series 3-0

This game was closer closer then the first two, but the end result was the same despite a change in scenery. This was by far the best game of the 1975 NLCS.

The Reds got on the board first in the second inning. With two outs, Dave Concepcion hit a solo homerun off of rookie starter John Candelaria to make it 1-0.

The Pirates took the lead with two runs in the sixth when starter Gary Nolan gave up a two run homer to Al Oliver. With the Reds down 2-1, Sparky went to his pen in the seventh and brought in Clay Carroll.

The Reds finally got back on the board in the eighth. Ken Griffey and Cesar Geronimo both struck out before Merv Rettenmund drew a walk. Then Charlie Hustle came up huge by hitting a two run homer to give the Reds a 3-2 lead.

The Pirates weren’t done. Will McEnaney threw a perfect eighth but gave up a lead off single to Willie Stargell in the bottom of the ninth. Dave Parker struck out and then Sparky went to his closer, Rawly Eastwick. Richie Zisk singled before Manny Sanguillen popped out to third. Eastwick then walked Bob Robertson to load up the bases. Still struggling with his control, Eastwick then walked Duffy Dyer and the tying run crossed the plate. He then got Rennie Stennett to fly out, but the game went into extra frames.

The drama didn’t last two long though. In the top of the tenth, Ken Griffey led off with a single and reliever Ramon Hernandez balked to move him over to second. Cesar Geronimo grounded out and Griffey moved over to third. Eddie Armbrister then flew out to center to score Griffey.

The Reds weren’t quite done though. Still with two outs, Pete Rose singled, then he scored on Joe Morgan’s double. Kent Tekulve came in to get the final out, but by that point, the Reds had all the runs they needed.

Pedro Borbon pitched a perfect ninth and the game was over. It would be the first time since 1970, when the Reds lost to the Orioles, that they’d played in the World Series. The Boston Red Sox swept their series, so the two teams would get three days off before squaring off in the World Series.

Permalink | Posted in 1975 Diary

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