1974 09-25 Pirates at Cardinals

The Thomas Paine Podcast delivers a riveting account of Game 3 in a high-stakes National League Eastern Division playoff series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, broadcast from Busch Stadium. The game began with the Pirates dominating early, building a 5-0 lead in the first inning fueled by Manny Sanguia's three-run homer and aggressive base running. However, the Cardinals mounted a stunning comeback in the third inning, scoring six runs on a series of bizarre bouncing balls and timely hits, including a key double by Dave Parker, to take a 6-5 lead. The contest remained a rollercoaster, with both teams trading blows—Pittsburgh responded with a five-run rally in the fifth, only for the Cardinals to answer with three runs in the same frame. By the sixth inning, the Cardinals led 9-8, and the game extended into extra innings, culminating in a dramatic 13-12 victory for St. Louis in the 11th. The final inning saw a four-run surge by the Cardinals, capitalizing on defensive errors, a controversial 20-second pitch count, and clutch hitting, including a pivotal base hit by Sizemore that tied the game. The emotional toll on players and managers was evident, with Danny Murtaugh frustrated over umpiring and bullpen decisions, while rookie pitchers Juan Jimenez and Mitchell struggled under pressure, echoing past failures like Bob Apodaca’s. Despite the loss, the Pirates remained half a game behind in the Wild Eastern Division race, setting up a crucial series against the Mets in New York.