[ifspuds]

The Pirates didn't stay quite as blazing hot as they were starting the month, but an 8-7 sim record against some tough competition is nothing to sneeze at, and going into the final month of the 1971 season, they enjoy a 12-game lead over the Cubs with the Mets 13.5 back in third.

I'm feeling uninspired, so I'll just go series-by-series:

8-16 to 8-18: vs. Houston (2nd place, NL West)
8/16: WIN, 6-5 (12 innings)

If you'd told me we scored 4 off Perry Wanklen, I'd normally be thrilled. But Jack Hassery gave up 5 in 4.1 IP thanks to 9 hits allowed, and it took a Fred Tackett solo homer with 1 down in the bottom of the 9th to send it into extras. Bottom 12, three straight singles loaded the bases to start the inning, and Asa Booker drew the bases-loaded walk to force in the winning run.

8/17: Loss, 3-1

Tim Crusher hit a pair of doubles, but both were with the bases empty, and Houston's Adam Brannen fanned 10 Pirates for the win.

8/18: Loss, 2-1

Levi Sellers took the hard-luck loss, giving up a 2-run 5th inning homer to Pasqual Nava. His teammates couldn't bail him out, getting 9 hits -- all singles -- but failing to draw a walk off Astros pitching. Still, Sellers lost for only the 4th time, against 18 wins.

8-19 to 8-22: at Cincinnati (3rd place, NL West)

8/19: WIN, 6-4

Always showing a flair for the dramatic, the Pirates bailed out starter Harry Cutshall with 3 in the top of the 9th, thanks to 4 singles, a walk and a sac fly. Veteran relief ace John Patterson closed it out in classic fashion, retiring 3 batters on 8 pitches (including a strikeout).

8/20: WIN, 7-3

George Adkison continued his brilliant season, tossing 8 innings of 1-run ball and picking up his 20th win. Cap Marcrum and Asa Booker hit 2-run homers and Alberto Val doubled twice as part of the Pirates' 13 hits.

8/21: WIN, 5-3

The Pirates again salvaged a win out of apparent defeat, scoring 3 in the top of the 9th once again. Four straight singles did it this time, with Henry Cruz driving in the winning runs with the fourth of the four. Lynn Willmon gave up a leadoff single, but shut the door after that.

8/22: WIN, 7-0

No heroics needed this time, just a complete-game 6-hit shutout from Hippo Castillo as the Pirates record the 4-game sweep. The Pirates only got 7 singles, but drew an astounding 10 walks off Reds pitching, including three by leadoff man Alberto Val.

8-23 to 8-25: at Atlanta (1st place, NL West)

8/23: Loss, 5-2

Levi Sellers was not sharp, allowing 5 in 5.1, but credit goes to Atlanta southpaw Tito Garcia. We struggle a little more against lefties, as most of our lineup either bats from the left or switch-hits.

8/24: Loss, 2-1

Harry Cutshall pitched 8 innings of 1-run ball, but the Pirates defense abandoned them as two errors contributed to the Braves plating the winning run in the bottom of the 9th.

8/25: WIN, 10-1

6 of the Pirates' 10 hits were doubles, and backup outfielder Hank Bailey had two of those along with 4 RBI to pace the team. Salvaging a win against their likely NLCS opponents was important, as was getting George Adkison his 21st win, which lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.79.

8-27 to 8-29: at Houston (2nd place, NL West)

8/27: WIN, 8-4

Tim Crusher hit a bases-loaded double in the top of the 10th as the Pirates exploded for 4 in extra innings off Houston relievers. Bash Mahoney picked up 3 hits.

8/28: WIN, 7-2

Bash Mahoney had three more hits, including a solo homer as Levi Sellers got back in the win column (his 19th) with a strong effort. Eric Wellman, filling in for the injured Melchior Cifuentes in center, drove in a pair.

8/29: Loss, 8-7

The never-say-die Pirates scored 3 in the top of the 9th on a 2-run homer from Tim Crusher and a solo shot from catcher Fred Tackett, but pinch-hitter Kenny Bluel popped out to end the game one run short of another epic comeback.

8-30 to 8-31: vs. Philadelphia (4th place, NL East)

8/30: Loss, 4-3

George Adkison was victimized by 2 unearned runs as the Phillies took game one of a three-game series. Bash Mahoney hit another homer and won Player of the Week honors for the NL.

8/31: Loss, 11-7, 10 innings

This time it was the other team sticking it to the Pirates in extras. 10th inning homers by James Bosler and Don Baker contributed to a 4-run 10th for the Phillies.