'79, '60 Bucs advance to Bracket 2, Round 2
PITTSBURGH -- The Fighting Fish were no match for the “Fam-a-lee.”
After losing the first game of their best-of-seven series, the 1979 Pirates reeled off four straight wins to push aside the 2003 Marlins in the first round of the MLB Dream Bracket 2: Dream Seasons.
Dave Parker was dominant, going 8-for-21 with a homer and three doubles. Willie Stargell was 7-for-21 with two homers. Phil Garner and Bill Madlock also hit .333, and both Ed Ott and Omar Moreno drove in three runs during the five-game series. And the Bucs bullpen refused to give up anything against a Marlins lineup led by Juan Pierre, Ivan Rodriguez and a young Miguel Cabrera.
The 1979 World Series champions will now advance to the Round of 32 to face the '94 Expos, who beat the '90 Reds in seven games to start this 64-team, best-of-seven simulation tournament featuring two of the best post-World War II teams from each of the 30 current Major League franchises as well as three Negro League teams and those ’94 Expos.
The 64-team bracket is divided into the American League and National League, with two “regions” for each league. The 1979 Pirates are in NL Region 2, while the ‘60 Pirates -- who needed seven games to advance past the '80 Phillies on Thursday -- are in NL Region 2. The simulated competition, featuring many of the greatest teams in baseball history, is being produced by Out of the Park Baseball 21, MLB‘s most realistic strategy game (PC and Mac).
• Complete Dream Bracket 2 rosters
Here’s a look at how the 1979 Pirates breezed past the 2003 Marlins.
Game 1: Marlins 7, Pirates 1
There was barely enough time for a Sister Sledge chorus to play before the Marlins put this one away. Pirates starter Bert Blyleven gave up four runs (three earned) in only three innings, and reliever Ed Whitson allowed three runs while recording only two outs. Meanwhile, Marlins starter Josh Beckett silenced Pittsburgh’s loaded lineup, permitting only four hits and two walks while striking out seven over 7 2/3 innings. Rodriguez led Florida’s lineup, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
Game 2: Pirates 6, Marlins 2
John Candelaria allowed only two runs in 5 2/3 innings, but the Marlins carried a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh thanks to an 11-strikeout start by Dontrelle Willis. Then the Bucs’ bats came to life against reliever Braden Looper. Garner walked, pinch-hitter John Milner tripled, Moreno was intentionally walked, Tim Foli hit an RBI single and Parker lashed another RBI single to chase Looper. But Bill Robinson hit a sacrifice fly against lefty Mark Redman, and Madlock punctuated the five-run frame with a double to center. Grant Jackson, Kent Tekulve and Dave Roberts put up zeroes to end it.
Game 3: Pirates 2, Marlins 1
Bruce Kison delivered a strong start, striking out eight over 6 2/3 innings, and Enrique Romo and Tekulve kept the Marlins lineup in check so that two runs would win it. Stargell drove in both of those runs. In the first inning, Parker doubled and scored on a ground-ball single by “Pops.” Then Stargell led off the fourth inning with a 477-foot solo homer off Marlins starter Brad Penny. That was enough for the Bucs to pull ahead in the series.
Game 4: Pirates 5, Marlins 3
The middle of the Pirates lineup did the heavy lifting again, this time against starter Carl Pavano. Parker went 3-for-4 with a double and a homer. Stargell homered again. Bill Robinson hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Those three sparked two big innings, and Don Robinson picked up the win after working seven solid innings.
Game 5: Pirates 6, Marlins 3
Beckett made another gritty start, with only one unearned run scoring during his 5 2/3 innings on the mound. Ott hit a game-tying three-run homer off lefty Michael Tejera in the sixth inning, and Blyleven exited with the game tied as he permitted three runs in 5 1/3 innings. But the Bucs put an end to the series with their eighth-inning rally. Madlock singled, stole second and came around to score when Garner reached on an error. Milner walked as a pinch-hitter, and the Marlins brought in Willis out of the bullpen. The move didn’t work, as Moreno ripped a double that brought home Garner and Milner. Jim Bibby worked the final two innings without allowing a run, and the 1979 Pirates moved on.