‘71 Bucs take 2 of 3 from ‘03 Fish

8/26-8/27 - Three Rivers Stadium
GAME 1 - '71-Pirates 4, '03-Marlins 2
Spot starter Michael Tejera pitched his heart out for 6 innings, but the Marlin bullpen was not up to the task of taming the Lumber Company.  Chad Fox gave up 2 runs in the 8th as the Bucs broke a 2-2 tie.  Bob Miller pitched a scoreless 9th to notch the save and give the home team the opener.  Surprisingly the Bucs didn't score with the heavy bats vs Fox who walked 3 and threw a wild pitch.  Willie Stargell did hit a solo shot in the 4th with 2 out, but for the most part Florida held down the vaunted Buc offense, yet could not capitalize as Steve Blass held them down for 8 innings.

GAME 2 - Pirates 6, Marlins 0
The bats showed up for the Bucs in this one as they bombarded Brad Penny (4IP/5ER).  Banjo hitting Jackie Hernandez shocked everyone by providing the power with a 2 run shot.  Roberto Clemente went 2 for 4 to boost his season average to  .409.  Bob Moose, Mudcat Grant and Nelson Briles combined to 3 hit the Fish in a game that was delayed numerous times due to rain.

8/28 - Pro Player Stadium
GAME 3 - Marlins 5, Pirates 4 (11 inn)
This contest went to extra innings after Dock Ellis and Dontrelle Willis both yielded 3 runs in regulation.  Braden Looper threw 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief before giving way to Ugeth Urbina who gave up the go ahead run in the top of the 11th when Bob Robertson hit a tape measure shot.  Pittsburgh had their brooms ready, but the celebration was premature.  Needing just 3 outs to close out the save Dave Giusti didn't have his "A" stuff.  The Marlins took full advantage of it in the bottom of the 11th when Todd Hollandsworth and Brian Banks led off the inning with consecutive walks.  After pinch hitter Mike Lowell flied out to  deep center pinch hitter Derek Lee singled home Hollandsworth to tie the game at 4 all.  That brought up Luis Castillo with runners on the corners and 1 out.  Castillo who might be one the best bunters off all time laid down a perfect bunt to execute the suicide squeeze, which scored Banks to win the game.  Urbina, who blew stood to be the loser wound up the winner thanks to timely hitting and Giusti's lack of control.