[Nick Soulis]

Series #73



1996 St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 88-74
Finish: Lost in NLCS
Manager: Tony LaRusa
Ball Park: Busch Stadium
WAR Leader: Brian Jordan (5.5)
Franchise Record: 3-2
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/1996.shtml

1977 Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 96-66
Finish: 2nd in NL East
Manager: Chuck Tanner
Ball Park: Three Rivers Stadium
WAR Leader: John Candelaria (7.9)
Franchise Record: 4-2
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1977.shtml
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Cardinals Finish Strong
St. Louis Win Final Two Games To Extinguish Pirates



Game 1
At Busch Stadium
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates 5
1996 St. Louis Cardinals 7
WP: A. Benes (1-0) LP: J. Candelaria (0-1) S: D. Eckersley (1)
HR: R. Gant (1), B. Jordan (1)
POG: Andy benes (7.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, W)
1996 Cardinals Lead Series 1-0

In a riveting opening matchup of Series 73, the 1996 St. Louis Cardinals seized victory against the 1977 Pittsburgh Pirates with a 7-5 triumph at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals' Andy Benes showcased masterful pitching prowess, frustrating the Pirates' hitters over 7.2 innings, allowing just three hits while striking out eight. Benes's dominant performance laid the foundation for the Cardinals' success in game one. Despite a late surge from the Pirates in the eighth inning, fueled by a four-run rally, the Cardinals managed to hold on to their lead. Benes, with his 111 pitches, proved instrumental in stifling the Pirates' offensive efforts, securing a crucial win for the Cardinals in the best-of-seven series. With the stage set for an intense battle, both teams gear up for game two at Busch Stadium tomorrow, eager to gain further momentum in their quest for Series 73.

Game 2
At Busch Stadium
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates 1
1996 St. Louis Cardinals 0
WP: J. Reuss (1-0) LP: T. Stottlemyre (0-1) S: K. Tekulve (1)
HR" None
POG: Jerry Reuss (8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 104 P)
Series Tied At 1

In a tense pitching duel at Busch Stadium, the 1977 Pittsburgh Pirates edged past the 1996 St. Louis Cardinals with a narrow 1-0 victory in Game 2 of the Series 73. Left-handed pitcher Jerry Reuss delivered a masterful performance, tossing 8.0 innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits while striking out seven Cardinals batters. Reuss's dominant outing stifled the Cardinals' offense, leaving them unable to mount a significant threat. The lone run of the game came from the Pirates' bats in the sixth inning. Despite a valiant effort from Cardinals pitcher Todd Stottlemyre, who pitched 6.0 solid innings, the Pirates managed to even the series at 1-1. With the series now tied, both teams look ahead to Game 3, scheduled to take place at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.

Game 3
At Three Rivers Stadium
1996 St. Louis Cardinals 5
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates 6 (10 inn)
WP: K. Tekulve (1-0) LP: D. Eckersley (0-1)
HR: G. Gaetti (1), R. Gant (2), B. Jordan (2), B. Robinson (1)
POG: Bill Robinson (3-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Bill Robinson walk off home run

In a thrilling extra-inning contest at Three Rivers Stadium, the 1977 Pittsburgh Pirates emerged victorious over the 1996 St. Louis Cardinals with a dramatic 6-5 win in Game 3 of the series. Bill Robinson stole the show for the Pirates, going 3 for 5 with a crucial home run and a double, tallying two runs scored and two RBIs. The game remained tight until the bottom of the tenth when Robinson delivered a walk-off solo homer off Dennis Eckersley, securing the win for Pittsburgh. With this victory, the 1977 Pirates now lead the series 2-1, heading into Game 4 with momentum on their side.

Game 4
At Three Rivers Stadium
1996 St. Louis Cardinals 11
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates 7
WP: A. Benes (1-0) LP: O. Jones (0-1)
HR: G. Gaetti 2 (3), B. Jordan (3), R. Lankford (1)
POG: Gary Gaetti (4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI)
Series Tied At 2

In a high-scoring affair at Three Rivers Stadium, the 1996 St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the 1977 Pittsburgh Pirates to claim an 11-7 victory in Game 4 of the series. Gary Gaetti led the charge for the Cardinals with a remarkable 4-for-5 performance, including two home runs and three RBIs. Brian Jordan also made significant contributions, launching a crucial two-run homer in the fifth inning. Despite a late surge from the Pirates, highlighted by a three-run double from Dave Parker in the ninth, the Cardinals held on to even the series at 2-2. With momentum swinging back and forth, both teams are now gearing up for a pivotal Game 5 showdown tomorrow at Three Rivers Stadium.

Game 5
At Three Rivers Stadium
1996 St. Louis Cardinals 2
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates 4
WP: J. Candelaria (1-1) LP: A. Benes (1-1) S> K. Tekulve (2)
HR: G. Gaetti (4)
POG: John Candelaria (8 IP, 3 H, 2, ER, 1 BB, 9 K, W)
1977 Pirates Lead Series 3-2

In a pivotal Game 5 showdown at Three Rivers Stadium, the 1977 Pittsburgh Pirates claimed a crucial 4-2 victory over the 1996 St. Louis Cardinals, seizing a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Pirates' left-handed starter, John Candelaria, emerged as the hero of the night, delivering an outstanding performance on the mound. Candelaria tossed 8 solid innings, limiting the Cardinals to just 3 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 9 batters. Despite the Cardinals' early lead with a pair of runs in the second inning, sparked by Gary Gaetti's two-run homer, Candelaria's masterful pitching stifled their offense for the remainder of the game. With the series shifting back to Busch Stadium in St. Louis for Game 6, the Pirates hold the upper hand as they inch closer to clinching.

Game 6
At Busch Stadium
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates 3
1996 St. Louis Cardinals 4 (13 inn)
WP: R. Honeycutt (1-0) LP: R. Gossage (0-1)
HR" None
POG: Todd Stottlemyre (7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 95 P)
Rich Gossage balks in winning run
Series Tied At 3

In a thrilling Game 6 at Busch Stadium, the St. Louis 1996 Cardinals staged an unforgettable comeback, edging out the Pittsburgh 1977 Pirates in a heart-stopping 13-inning battle. The Cardinals, buoyed by their passionate home crowd, fought tooth and nail to secure a crucial 4-3 victory, knotting the series at 3-3 and setting the stage for a winner-takes-all Game 7. Behind the stellar performance of starting pitcher Todd Stottlemyre and a timely sacrifice fly by John Mabry, the Cardinals rallied from behind to clinch the victory in dramatic fashion. With tensions running high and every at-bat fraught with anticipation, both teams left it all on the field in a game that will be remembered as a true classic. As the series now heads into its final showdown, the stage is set for an epic conclusion to what has been a fiercely contested battle for baseball supremacy.

Game 7
At Busch Stadium
1977 Pittsburgh Pirates 1
1996 St. Louis Cardinals 9
WP: D. Osborne (1-0) LP: B. Kison (0-1)
HR: R. Gant
POG: Donovan Osborne (9 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 121 P)

In a decisive Game 7 at Busch Stadium, the St. Louis 1996 Cardinals left no doubt as they dominated the Pittsburgh 1977 Pirates with a commanding 9-1 victory, clinching the Field Of Dreams Series 73. The Cardinals, led by a stellar performance from pitcher Donovan Osborne, showcased their resilience and determination, proving themselves worthy champions. With their potent offense led by Gary Gaetti and Ray Lankford, and a solid defensive effort, the Cardinals sealed their victory and etched their names in baseball history. As the confetti fell and the celebrations ensued, the Cardinals savored their hard-earned triumph.

1996 St. Louis Cardinals Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(.379, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 3 2B, .897 SLG, 1.297 OPS)