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CAL  1
BAL  0

(14)
CLE 10
CHW  1

KCR  2
TEX  1

MIL  2
DET  1

TOR  6
@MIN  2

BOS  4
@OAK  2

SEA  5
NYY  4

CHC  2
CIN  1

SDP  5
@MON  4

LAD  5
@NYM  4

PHI  5
SFG  3

PIT  7
HOU  6

PIT  3
HOU  1
STL  6
ATL  4

Standings at end of play this day
Second game of doubleheader, see First game.

Three Rivers Stadium, Attendance: 21,851

Sunday, August 20, 1978, 4:25PM
Time of Game: 2:27
Astros
1
56-68
Lost 6
6th, 17 GB
                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Astros          0  0  1   0  0  0   0  0  0    1  9  1
Pirates         0  0  0   2  0  1   0  0  X    3  9  1
W: Jerry Reuss (1-2), L: Joe Niekro (10-10)
Pirates
3
60-62
Won 7
3rd, 6 GB

Batting Stats

Houston Astros               AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
T Puhl CF                     4   1   0   0    0   1  .294  .722              2   0   
J Gonzalez 2B                 4   0   2   0    0   1  .239  .559              1   4   
E Cabell 1B                   4   0   2   0    0   0  .290  .704              9   1   GDP
A Howe 3B                     4   0   2   1    0   0  .290  .778              0   4   
J Alou LF                     4   0   2   0    0   0  .339  .786              0   0   
J Cruz RF                     4   0   0   0    0   1  .295  .788              2   0   
J Sexton SS                   4   0   1   0    0   0  .170  .452              2   0   SB
L Pujols C                    4   0   0   0    0   0  .127  .397              8   1   
J Niekro P                    2   0   0   0    0   1  .191  .426              0   1   
  R Landestoy PH              1   0   0   0    0   0  .247  .583              0   0   
  J Sambito P                 0   0   0   0    0   0  .000  .200              0   1   
Totals                       35   1   9   0    0   4                         24  12
Batting Events
TB: J Gonzalez 2; A Howe 2; E Cabell 2; J Alou 2; J Sexton.
GIDP: E Cabell (10).
RBI: A Howe (50).
Team LOB: 7.
With RISP: 2 for 6.
Fielding Events
E: L Pujols (6).
Baserunning Events
SB: J Sexton (11, 3rd base off J Reuss/D Dyer).
Pittsburgh Pirates           AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
F Taveras SS                  4   0   0   0    0   1  .276  .666              2   4   
O Moreno CF                   3   0   0   0    1   1  .231  .630              1   0   SB
D Parker RF                   4   0   1   0    0   0  .305  .910              1   0   CS
J Milner 1B                   4   0   1   0    0   0  .290  .766             10   0   2B
E Ott LF                      4   2   3   2    0   1  .253  .691              2   0   2·HR,2B
P Garner 2B                   3   1   2   0    1   0  .265  .742              5   3   2·SB,IW
D Berra 3B                    3   0   1   0    1   2  .161  .452              1   3   SB,IW
D Dyer C                      3   0   0   0    1   0  .222  .596              4   0   SB
J Reuss P                     4   0   1   0    0   2  .176  .412              1   2   
Totals                       32   3   9   0    4   7                         27  12
Batting Events
2B: J Milner (14, off J Sambito); E Ott (10, off J Niekro).
HR: E Ott 2 (8, 2 off J Niekro; 4th inn, 0 on, 2 outs to RF; 6th inn, 0 on, 1 out to RF).
IBB: D Berra (2, by J Niekro); P Garner (8, by J Sambito).
TB: E Ott 10; P Garner 2; J Milner 2; D Parker; D Berra; J Reuss.
RBI: E Ott 2 (27).
2-out RBI: E Ott.
Team LOB: 9.
With RISP: 0 for 11.
Fielding Events
DP: 2. J Reuss-D Berra; P Garner-F Taveras-J Milner.
E: F Taveras (28).
Baserunning Events
SB: D Dyer (2, 2nd base off J Niekro/L Pujols); D Berra (2, 2nd base off J Niekro/L Pujols); P Garner 2 (20, 2nd base off J Niekro/L Pujols, Home off J Niekro/L Pujols); O Moreno (52, 2nd base off J Niekro/L Pujols).
CS: D Parker (6, 2nd base by J Sambito POCS).

Pitching Stats

Houston Astros                IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
J Niekro, L (10-10)            6     7   3   3    2   2   2   4.20   27     -       ·  ·      9· 7· 0· 7     46    -     0.99  -0.11
J Sambito                      2     2   0   0    2   5   0   2.66    9     -       ·  ·      0· 0· 0· 2          0-0    0.43   0.03
Totals                         8     9   3   3    4   7   2          36     -       ·  ·      9· 7· 0· 9           -  
Pittsburgh Pirates            IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
J Reuss, W (1-2)               9     9   1   0    0   4   0   5.84   35     -       ·  ·     12·10· 1· 9     71    -     1.21   0.42
Totals                         9     9   1   0    0   4   0          35     -       ·  ·     12·10· 1· 9           -  
Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: None.
IBB: J Niekro (1; D Berra); J Sambito (6; P Garner).
Pickoffs: J Sambito (1; D Parker, 2nd base (CS)).

Other Info

Umpires: HP - Dick Stello, 1B - Bruce Froemming, 2B - Eric Gregg, 3B - Bill Williams.
Time of Game: 2:27.
Attendance: 21,851.
Field Condition: Unknown.
Start Time Weather: Unknown.

Lineups

   Houston Astros                            Pittsburgh Pirates                           
1. Terry Puhl                   CF       1. Frank Taveras                SS
2. Julio Gonzalez               2B       2. Omar Moreno                  CF
3. Enos Cabell                  1B       3. Dave Parker                  RF
4. Art Howe                     3B       4. John Milner                  1B
5. Jesus Alou                   LF       5. Ed Ott                       LF
6. Jose Cruz                    RF       6. Phil Garner                  2B
7. Jimmy Sexton                 SS       7. Dale Berra                   3B
8. Luis Pujols                   C       8. Duffy Dyer                    C
9. Joe Niekro                    P       9. Jerry Reuss                   P

Top 5 Plays

Glossary · Click headers to sort · CSV · PRE · View Pitches · wWE and wWPA Explanation
Inn Out RoB R/O Pit(cnt) wWPA wWE Score @Bat Batter Pitcher Play Description
b4 2 --- R 15% 51% 0-1 PIT E. Ott J. Niekro Home Run
t3 1 123 OO 14% 43% 1-0 HOU J. Cruz J. Reuss Line Drive Double Play: P-3B
b4 2 1-3 R 12% 68% 1-1 PIT D. Dyer J. Niekro Garner Steals Hm; Berra Steals 2B
b6 1 --- R 11% 84% 2-1 PIT E. Ott J. Niekro Home Run
t3 1 1-3 R -8% 34% 0-0 HOU A. Howe J. Reuss Single to 2B; Puhl Scores/unER; Gonzalez to 2B

Play By Play

Glossary · Click headers to sort · CSV · PRE · View Pitches · Box Score Explanation · wWE and wWPA Explanation
Inn Out RoB R/O Pit(cnt) wWPA wWE Score @Bat Batter Pitcher Play Description
Top of the 1st, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 1-2-3
t1 0 --- O 2% 52% 0-0 HOU T. Puhl J. Reuss Groundout: P-1B
t1 1 --- O 2% 54% 0-0 HOU J. Gonzalez J. Reuss Flyball: 2B
t1 2 --- -1% 52% 0-0 HOU E. Cabell J. Reuss Single to RF
t1 2 1-- -2% 50% 0-0 HOU A. Howe J. Reuss Single to 3B; Cabell to 2B
t1 2 12- O 4% 55% 0-0 HOU J. Alou J. Reuss Groundout: 1B unassisted
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Pirates 0.
Bottom of the 1st, Pirates Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 1-2-3
b1 0 --- O -2% 52% 0-0 PIT F. Taveras J. Niekro Flyball: CF
b1 1 --- 2% 55% 0-0 PIT O. Moreno J. Niekro Walk
b1 1 1-- 2% 57% 0-0 PIT D. Parker J. Niekro Moreno Steals 2B
b1 1 -2- O -3% 54% 0-0 PIT D. Parker J. Niekro Groundout: 2B-1B; Moreno to 3B
b1 2 --3 O -4% 50% 0-0 PIT J. Milner J. Niekro Flyball: RF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 0, Pirates 0.
Top of the 2nd, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 6-7-8
t2 0 --- O 2% 52% 0-0 HOU J. Cruz J. Reuss Flyball: LF
t2 1 --- -3% 50% 0-0 HOU J. Sexton J. Reuss Single to CF
t2 1 1-- O 2% 52% 0-0 HOU L. Pujols J. Reuss Groundout: 2B-1B; Sexton to 2B
t2 2 -2- -0% 51% 0-0 HOU J. Niekro J. Reuss Sexton Steals 3B
t2 2 --3 O 4% 55% 0-0 HOU J. Niekro J. Reuss Strikeout
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 0, Pirates 0.
Bottom of the 2nd, Pirates Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 5-6-7
b2 0 --- 6% 62% 0-0 PIT E. Ott J. Niekro Double to RF
b2 0 -2- O -5% 57% 0-0 PIT P. Garner J. Niekro Groundout: 3B-1B
b2 1 -2- O -4% 53% 0-0 PIT D. Berra J. Niekro Strikeout
b2 2 -2- O -3% 50% 0-0 PIT D. Dyer J. Niekro Groundout: 3B-1B
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 0, Pirates 0.
Top of the 3rd, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 1-2-3
t3 0 --- -4% 46% 0-0 HOU T. Puhl J. Reuss Reached on E6 (Ground Ball); Puhl to 1B
t3 0 1-- -6% 40% 0-0 HOU J. Gonzalez J. Reuss Single to RF; Puhl to 2B
t3 0 12- O 2% 42% 0-0 HOU E. Cabell J. Reuss Flyball: RF; Puhl to 3B
t3 1 1-3 R -8% 34% 0-0 HOU A. Howe J. Reuss Single to 2B; Puhl Scores/unER; Gonzalez to 2B
t3 1 12- -6% 29% 1-0 HOU J. Alou J. Reuss Single to RF; Gonzalez to 3B; Howe to 2B
t3 1 123 OO 14% 43% 1-0 HOU J. Cruz J. Reuss Line Drive Double Play: P-3B
1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 0.
Bottom of the 3rd, Pirates Batting, Behind 0-1, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 9-1-2
b3 0 --- O -3% 40% 0-1 PIT J. Reuss J. Niekro Groundout: 2B-1B
b3 1 --- O -2% 38% 0-1 PIT F. Taveras J. Niekro Groundout: 3B-1B
b3 2 --- O -1% 37% 0-1 PIT O. Moreno J. Niekro Popfly: SS
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 0.
Top of the 4th, Astros Batting, Ahead 1-0, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 7-8-9
t4 0 --- O 2% 39% 1-0 HOU J. Sexton J. Reuss Popfly: SS
t4 1 --- O 2% 41% 1-0 HOU L. Pujols J. Reuss Groundout: SS-1B
t4 2 --- O 1% 42% 1-0 HOU J. Niekro J. Reuss Flyball: LF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 0.
Bottom of the 4th, Pirates Batting, Behind 0-1, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 3-4-5
b4 0 --- O -3% 39% 0-1 PIT D. Parker J. Niekro Groundout: 1B unassisted
b4 1 --- O -2% 37% 0-1 PIT J. Milner J. Niekro Groundout: 2B-1B
b4 2 --- R 15% 51% 0-1 PIT E. Ott J. Niekro Home Run
b4 2 --- 1% 53% 1-1 PIT P. Garner J. Niekro Single to LF
b4 2 1-- 3% 56% 1-1 PIT D. Berra J. Niekro Single to CF; Garner to 3B
b4 2 1-3 R 12% 68% 1-1 PIT D. Dyer J. Niekro Garner Steals Hm; Berra Steals 2B
b4 2 -2- O -3% 65% 2-1 PIT D. Dyer J. Niekro Foul Flyball: C
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 2.
Top of the 5th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-2, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 1-2-3
t5 0 --- O 3% 68% 1-2 HOU T. Puhl J. Reuss Strikeout
t5 1 --- -4% 64% 1-2 HOU J. Gonzalez J. Reuss Single to LF
t5 1 1-- OO 7% 71% 1-2 HOU E. Cabell J. Reuss Ground Ball Double Play: 2B-SS-1B
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 2.
Bottom of the 5th, Pirates Batting, Ahead 2-1, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 9-1-2
b5 0 --- 3% 75% 2-1 PIT J. Reuss J. Niekro Single to CF
b5 0 1-- O -3% 72% 2-1 PIT F. Taveras J. Niekro Flyball: CF
b5 1 1-- O -3% 69% 2-1 PIT O. Moreno J. Niekro Flyball: RF
b5 2 1-- O -2% 67% 2-1 PIT D. Parker J. Niekro Popfly: 2B
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 2.
Top of the 6th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-2, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 4-5-6
t6 0 --- O 4% 71% 1-2 HOU A. Howe J. Reuss Popfly: 2B
t6 1 --- -4% 67% 1-2 HOU J. Alou J. Reuss Single to CF
t6 1 1-- O 5% 71% 1-2 HOU J. Cruz J. Reuss Strikeout
t6 2 1-- O 4% 75% 1-2 HOU J. Sexton J. Reuss Groundout: 2B-1B
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 2.
Bottom of the 6th, Pirates Batting, Ahead 2-1, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 4-5-6
b6 0 --- O -2% 73% 2-1 PIT J. Milner J. Niekro Groundout: 2B-1B
b6 1 --- R 11% 84% 2-1 PIT E. Ott J. Niekro Home Run
b6 1 --- 1% 86% 3-1 PIT P. Garner J. Niekro Single to LF
b6 1 1-- 3% 89% 3-1 PIT D. Berra J. Niekro Garner Steals 2B; Garner to 3B/Adv on E2 (throw to 2B)
b6 1 --3 1% 89% 3-1 PIT D. Berra J. Niekro Intentional Walk
b6 1 1-3 O -4% 86% 3-1 PIT D. Dyer J. Niekro Fielder's Choice P; Garner out at Hm/P-C-3B-1B; Berra to 3B; Dyer to 1B
b6 2 1-3 0% 86% 3-1 PIT J. Reuss J. Niekro Dyer Steals 2B
b6 2 -23 O -3% 83% 3-1 PIT J. Reuss J. Niekro Strikeout
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 3.
Top of the 7th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-3, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 8-9-1
t7 0 --- O 3% 86% 1-3 HOU L. Pujols J. Reuss Groundout: 3B-1B
Rafael Landestoy pinch hits for Joe Niekro (P) batting 9th
t7 1 --- O 2% 88% 1-3 HOU R. Landestoy J. Reuss Foul Flyball: 2B
t7 2 --- O 1% 89% 1-3 HOU T. Puhl J. Reuss Popfly: 2B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 3.
Bottom of the 7th, Pirates Batting, Ahead 3-1, Astros' Joe Sambito facing 1-2-3
Joe Sambito replaces Rafael Landestoy (PH) pitching and batting 9th
b7 0 --- O -1% 89% 3-1 PIT F. Taveras J. Sambito Strikeout
b7 1 --- O -1% 88% 3-1 PIT O. Moreno J. Sambito Strikeout
b7 2 --- 0% 88% 3-1 PIT D. Parker J. Sambito Single to CF
b7 2 1-- O -1% 87% 3-1 PIT J. Milner J. Sambito Parker Caught Stealing (PO) 2B (P-1B-SS)
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 3.
Top of the 8th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-3, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 2-3-4
t8 0 --- O 3% 91% 1-3 HOU J. Gonzalez J. Reuss Strikeout
t8 1 --- -4% 87% 1-3 HOU E. Cabell J. Reuss Single to LF
t8 1 1-- O 5% 91% 1-3 HOU A. Howe J. Reuss Groundout: 3B-2B/Forceout at 2B
t8 2 1-- O 3% 94% 1-3 HOU J. Alou J. Reuss Groundout: SS-1B
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 3.
Bottom of the 8th, Pirates Batting, Ahead 3-1, Astros' Joe Sambito facing 4-5-6
b8 0 --- 2% 96% 3-1 PIT J. Milner J. Sambito Double to RF
b8 0 -2- O -1% 95% 3-1 PIT E. Ott J. Sambito Strikeout
b8 1 -2- 0% 95% 3-1 PIT P. Garner J. Sambito Intentional Walk
b8 1 12- O -1% 94% 3-1 PIT D. Berra J. Sambito Strikeout
b8 2 12- 1% 95% 3-1 PIT D. Dyer J. Sambito Walk; Milner to 3B; Garner to 2B
b8 2 123 O -2% 93% 3-1 PIT J. Reuss J. Sambito Strikeout
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 3.
Top of the 9th, Astros Batting, Behind 1-3, Pirates' Jerry Reuss facing 6-7-8
t9 0 --- O 4% 97% 1-3 HOU J. Cruz J. Reuss Flyball: CF
t9 1 --- O 2% 99% 1-3 HOU J. Sexton J. Reuss Groundout: SS-1B
t9 2 --- O 1% 100% 1-3 HOU L. Pujols J. Reuss Groundout: 3B-1B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 1, Pirates 3.

Retrosheet.org Boxscore:PIT197808202

Play-by-Play Explanation

  • RoB- This gives the baserunner (Runners on Base) configuration at the start of the play. "1-3" would mean runners on first and third. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play.
  • R/O- This has a "O" for every out on the play and an "R" for every run that scored on the play. Some plays will have both in no particular order.
  • Pit- When available, the number of pitches in this plate appearance. Clicking on this number will show the sequence of pitches thrown including, when available, things like runner going, ball blocked, attempted pickoffs and the like. We believe this data to be as accurate as humanly possible, but there are going to be some errors in the data, so please take it with a grain of salt. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play.
  • wWPA- Winning Team's Win Probability Added. The amount that this play increased or decreased the eventual winning team's probability of winning the game. More About Win Probability Added
  • wWE- Winning Team's Win Expectancy. The probability of the eventual winning team winning the game prior to this play given two average teams playing each other. More About Win Probability Added
  • Score- The score from the perspective of the batting team.
  • Batter- The batter at the plate when this play occurred. If the play is a baserunning event, then the batter's name will be repeated as indicated by quotes.
  • Pitcher- The pitcher on the mound when this play occurred.
  • Play Detail- This is an explanation of the play that occurred. In some cases, batted ball location and type will be indicated within parentheses. Again, these are best efforts to the record the game as it happened. Also, plays made on the baserunners (including the batter as a baserunner) will be indicated in parentheses after the baserunner's name. Advancement of baserunners is given in cases where the advancement is not easily deduced or obvious from the play. For example, advancement for a walk will not be given, but for a single or double it will be given.

Please report any issues or strangeness you see with the description of plays given above. We have tested several hundred different types of plays, but, in all likelihood, there are still some errors or misinterpretations of the play-by-play data.

The play-by-play information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet.

In some cases, the results from play-by-play data will contradict results in the official record. The official record has many, many errors, but we have not undertaken to reconcile those errors. Pitch-by-pitch data should not be taken as completely accurate, though we believe it to be as accurate as is currently possible.

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