1975 National League Championship Series

Game summaries

In Game 1, the Pirates took a 2–0 lead in the second inning after Don Gullett hit Dave Parker with a pitch, then Richie Hebner doubled and Frank Taveras singled to drive in runs. Gullett cut the lead with an RBI single in the bottom half, making it 2–1.

In the third, Tony Perez tied the game with an RBI single, and Ken Griffey later added a two-run single to put the Reds ahead 4–2. The Reds loaded the bases in the fifth off Larry Demery, and Griffey's sacrifice fly and Cesar Geronimo's groundout each scored a run, followed by Gullett's home run for an 8–2 lead. Bob Robertson's two-out RBI single made it 8–3, but Gullett pitched a complete game for a 1–0 series lead.

Game 2

Game 2 saw Tony Perez hit a two-run home run in the first off Jim Rooker. The Pirates got one back in the fourth when Willie Stargell doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Richie Hebner's groundout, but the Reds answered with three straight leadoff singles and a sacrifice fly from Fred Norman to lead 4–1.

In the sixth, Ken Griffey singled off Kent Tekulve, stole second and third, and scored on a balk by Ken Brett. Bruce Kison hit Joe Morgan with a pitch to start the seventh; Morgan stole second and scored on Perez's single. Rawly Eastwick threw three innings of relief as the Reds won 6–1 for a 2–0 series lead.

Game 3

Through seven innings, he held a 2–1 lead after Al Oliver's two-run homer in the sixth off Gary Nolan. Candelaria struck out the first two batters in the eighth, giving him 14 for the game, a playoff record.

He then lost control, walking pinch-hitter Merv Rettenmund, and Pete Rose hit a home run to put the Reds ahead 3–2. Joe Morgan followed with a double, and Candelaria left. The Pirates tied the game in the ninth when Rawly Eastwick walked in the tying run with two outs.