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Vinny Castilla of the Houston Astros becomes the 13th player this season to hit three home runs in a game

ByThis Day in Baseball

In a day-night doubleheader, Vinny Castilla of the Houston Astros becomes the 13th player this season to hit three home runs in a game when he does it against Pittsburgh, but the Pirates still edge the Astros, 9 – 8, with an amazing comeback. Pittsburgh becomes only the second team in National League history to win a game by scoring seven runs starting with two outs and nobody on base in the 9th inning. Brian Giles caps the scoring with a walk-off grand slam off Astros ace closer Billy Wagner to win it. The Cubs did it, against the Reds, in the first game of a doubleheader on June 29, 1952.

Pittsburgh Pirates move into their new $262 million home at PNC Park

Pittsburgh Pirates move into their new $262 million home at PNC Park

ByThis Day in Baseball

2001 – After 31 years in Three Rivers Stadium, the Pittsburgh Pirates move into their new $262 million home at PNC Park, losing to the New York Mets, 4 – 3, in an exhibition game. The 38,000 seat stadium is nestled at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers with a spectacular view of the city.

Six different Astros belt home runs and they’ll need all of them to outlast Pittsburgh, 11-10.

ByTom

2000 – Six different Astros belt home runs and they’ll need all of them to outlast Pittsburgh, 11-10. Lance Berkman, Jeff Bagwell, Chris Truby, Moises Alou, Tim Bogar and Julio Lugo play long ball to build an 11-2 lead but no lead is safe at Enron Field. The Bucs storm back with eight runs in the last two frames before Octavio Dotel can coax the final out. 

Jason Kendall hits for the cycle and has a career-high five RBI, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 13 – 1 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals. Kendall hits a two-run home run in the 1st inning, an RBI single in the 2nd, a double in the 3rd and a two-run triple in the 8th. Kendall also becomes the first Pirate ever to hit for the cycle at Three Rivers Stadium.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Jason Kendall hits for the cycle and has a career-high five RBI, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 13 – 1 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals. Kendall hits a two-run home run in the 1st inning, an RBI single in the 2nd, a double in the 3rd and a two-run triple in the 8th. Kendall also becomes the first Pirate ever to hit for the cycle at Three Rivers Stadium.

The San Diego Padres obtain OF Al Martin from the Pirates for OF John Vander Wal, and pitchers Jim Sak and Geraldo Padua.

The San Diego Padres obtain OF Al Martin from the Pirates for OF John Vander Wal, and pitchers Jim Sak and Geraldo Padua.

Bypittsburgh

The San Diego Padres obtain OF Al Martin from the Pirates for OF John Vander Wal, and pitchers Jim Sak and Geraldo Padua. San Diego also signs pitcher Matt Clement to a four-year agreement.

Pat Meares on the disabled list recovering from surgery on his left hand, participates in a sausage race at Milwaukee’s County Stadium

Pat Meares on the disabled list recovering from surgery on his left hand, participates in a sausage race at Milwaukee’s County Stadium

ByThis Day in Baseball

Shortstop Pat Meares of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on the disabled list recovering from surgery on his left hand, participates in a sausage race at Milwaukee’s County Stadium. Meares, dressed as a 10-foot bratwurst, wins the race defeating a giant hot dog and a polish sausage. Two days ago, Meares was caught on videotape sunbathing in the upper deck of Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium for the first six innings of a game.

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Houston ties a club record for runs scored during a 19-8 demolition of the Pirates at the Astrodome

ByTom

1999 – Houston ties a club record for runs scored during a 19-8 demolition of the Pirates at the Astrodome. Seven Astros, including Tim Bogar and Paul Bako , have multi-hit games in the 18-hit assault. Houston breaks open the game with back-to-back five-run frames in the fourth and fifth, making an easy winner of Sean Bergman, who surrenders six runs in five innings of work. Houston’s ten doubles sets another club mark. 

Sammy Sosa and Tony Womack hit inside-the-park home runs in the 6th inning It’s the first time two inside-the-park homers had been hit in the same inning in 20 years.

Sammy Sosa and Tony Womack hit inside-the-park home runs in the 6th inning It’s the first time two inside-the-park homers had been hit in the same inning in 20 years.

ByBaseball

 Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa and Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Tony Womack hit inside-the-park home runs in the 6th inning of the Cubs’ 2 – 1 win. It’s the first time two inside-the-park homers had been hit in the same inning in 20 years.