Tuesday, 01 May 2012 02:26

Written by Donn Frizzi

21-3K CLEMENTE'S 3,000 HITS
ASTROS SNEAK BY PIRATES 9-8
6TH STRAIGHT LOSS
CLEMENTE 3-5
Monday, May 1st, 1972

PITTSBURGH - Roberto Clemente's 2 run homer in the 6th tied the ballgame. But it wasn't enough as Houston handed the Pirates their 6th straight loss, 9-8.

Clemente was 3-5 with his first home run of the year and his 1st 3 RBI's of the year. He now needs 103 hits to get to 3,000.
 
The Pirates squandered a 3-0 lead. Clemente drove in the game's 1st run in the 1st inning when Rennie Stennett scored when Clemente grounded into a double play. They added 2 more runs in the 4th on RBI single's by Gene Clines and Gene Alley.

In the top of the 5th, starter Steve Blass gave up a grand slam to Jim Wynn to give Houston a 4-3 lead. Johnny Edwards hit a 3 run shot in the 6th to make it 7-3 Astros. The Pirates tied it in the home half of the 6th when Cesar Cedeno misplayed Dave Cash's single, allowing Alley to score. Cash scored on Stennett's RBI single and Stennett scored on Clemente's game tying homer.
Back to back to back singles off of Dave Guisti allowed the Astros to take a 9-7 lead in the top of the 9th. Clemente led off with a double in the bottom frame and scored on Al Oliver's single but the Bucs came up 1 run short.
The game was delayed 57 minutes due to rain.

Tuesday, the Pirates host the Astros for Game 2. Jerry Reuss vs Dock Ellis.

The Pirates are in 3rd place in the NL East, 4.5 games behind Montreal, Philadelphia and the Mets.

In memory of Mr.Les Banos.