Bob Gordon’s 1979 postseason: Pirates pull one out with the Cobra’s help

Bob Gordon continues with his 1979 postseason replay.  Back to the NLCS with Game 2.  -Tom

Game 2 of the Senior Circuit series in Houston.  The Astros trying to bounce back from being shutout by Blyleven whilst being limited to just 2 hits.  Joe Niekro (20-12, 2.77) takes on Cy Young winner John Candeleria (25-8, 2.50).  Given the Bucs superior hitting, you have to like their chances…..

Moreno gets the Pirates started with a lead off single.  Foli follows with a single to right, Moreno cruises in to third standing up.  Parker promptly bangs in to a 6-4-3 double play, but the Bucs grab a one run lead.  In the home half of the second, Garner tries kicking Cabell’s grounder to Stargell at first and the Astros have their lead runner on.  Leonard moves him to second when his hit and run attempt goes Garner to Stargell in the more traditional way.  Landestoy’s base hit through the box knots it at one. 

The Bucs come up in the top of the third.  Niekro appears to have been settled in – having retired the last five he has faced.  He walks Garner to start the inning, and then gives up an RBI double to right center to Candeleria.  Moreno slaps one past Reynolds at short and the Pirates are suddenly up 3-1.  Foli is out at first on a weak come backer, and Parker hits a soft fly to Cruz in left.  Cruz drops it (!) and Moreno comes flying home for the third run of the inning.  Up strides Willie Stargell.  Willie was the NL MVP (.271, 48, 137), but is looking for his first hit of the series.  He finds it- a no doubt about it drive to right center and the Bucs lead 6-1.  Bill Robinson doubles to end Niekro’s day and Rick Williams gets two infield outs to end the inning. 

Candeleria goes out and to try and get the shutdown inning.  Denny Walling triples to left center to start the third.  He scores one out later on a Sac Fly to Parker in right.  Candeleria gets Cruz to fly to center to end the third.  He gets the Astros in order in the fourth and the first two batters in the fifth.  Walling walks with two gone and takes third on Reynolds’ single to right.  One out and the Pirates are out of the inning, but Cedeno lines one over Foli’s head in to left field for one run and Cruz atones for his error with a ringing double to the gap in left center. Two runs score and its 6-5 Pirates. Cabell pops to third and we go the sixth.

The Pirates wasted a single by Garner in the top half of the sixth. Chuck Tanner elected to let Candeleria bat and all he could muster this time was a grounder to third.  So after being given the chance to stay in the game, Candeleria walks the leadoff hitter.  Landestoy grounds to Foli and the Bucs get the lead runner.  Jesus Alou pinch hits for the pitcher and drills a drive over Stargell at first and in to the right field corner.  Landestoy scores to tie it up at six and Walling comes to the plate.  Candeleria whiffs him on five pitches – and finds a seat on the bench away from Tanner. 

The fourth Astros pitcher of the day – Bo Roberge (BW) – faces Foli to start the seventh.  Foli singles to left and swipes second on the first pitch.  Parker hammers one to center field giving the  Bucs a two run lead just like that.  Stargell hits the next pitch to right field and that one isn’t coming back!  9-6 Pittsburgh.  Roberge gets the next three batters and Candeleria trots out looking for a shutdown inning.  Garner boots Reynolds’ grounder for his second E4 of the day.  Cedeno hits a chopper back to the box – out at first, Reynolds in scoring position.  Cruz singles to Parker bringing Houston to within two.  Tanner calls for Enrique Romo and Candeleria leaves after six and a third.  Cruz takes off for second and easily beats Ott’s throw; runner in scoring position, one out.  Romo gets Cabell to sky to right and Leonard to bounce out 1-3.  9-7 Pirates.

Top of the eighth and Garner leads off trying to redeem himself.  Garner comes through, singling sharply past Landestoy and in to right field.  Tanner looks to John Milner to pinch hit. The Astros respond by going to their stopper, left hander Joe Sambito, to keep this close.  Milner doesn’t try to do too much with a heater and singles to left, Garner safely in to third in a cloud of dust.  Milner takes off for second on a 2-0 count, and beats Ashby’s throw.  Sambito comes back to fan Moreno.  Foli drives one to short center.  Walling charges in to make the catch and holds the runners.   Looks like Bill Virton made the right move bringing Sambito in early.  But Parker goes the other way for a two run single to left. The Cobra then swipes second.  He’s had a good day – 2-5, 2 runs, 4 RBI a steal and a homer.  The next guy has had a pretty good day, too.  Willie is 2-3, 2 runs, two homers, 3 RBIs and been hit with a pitch.  So after that build up, Sambito fans him on four pitches.  Grant Jackson and Kent Tekulve get the last six outs and seal the Pirates 11-7 win.  They go home to Pittsburgh needing just one win to move on.