On This Date in Sports October 2, 1920: Tripleheader
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
Fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh get three for one price, as the only tripleheader in the 20th Century is played between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. The tripleheader was made necessary when Friday's doubleheader was rained out. The Reds take the first two games of the tripleheader 13-4 and 7-3, while the Pirates salvaged the finale 6-0 as Johnny Morrison had a four-hit shutout in a game shortened to six innings due to darkness.
As the 1920 season was ending, the Pittsburgh Pirates, in their first year under manager George Gibson had a winning season at 77-73, sitting four in the National League. The Cincinnati Reds were in third place but disappointed at 80-69 after winning the 1919 World Series for manager Pat Moran. The two teams were to finish with a four-game weekend series at Forbes Field. However, rain washed away the doubleheader. The teams chose to play a tripleheader on the penultimate day of the season.
In the first game, Ray Fisher got the start for Cincinnati while Wilbur Cooper started for the Pirates. The Reds took an early 2-0 lead with runs in the first two innings. However, the Pirates rallied in front with three runs in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of an error by shortstop Larry Kopf. Kopf atoned for his error, one inning later driving in a pair of runs, as the Reds erupted for six runs. Kopf added a triple in the fourth as the Reds built a 9-3 lead. Ray Kopf and pitcher Ray Fisher each had three hits as the Reds waltzed to a 13-4 win.
Lynn Brenton started for the Reds in the second game while Jimmy Zinn toed the rubber for the Pirates. Zinn had the Reds off-balance for six innings, as Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead with runs in the first and fourth innings. In the seventh inning, the game swung in favor of Cincinnati as the Reds erupted for seven runs. Morie Rath got the rally started, singling with the bases loaded. Ed Sicking also had a two-run single, while Hod Eller completed the uprising with a double. Possum Whitted had a triple in the ninth to get Pittsburgh back on the scoreboard, but the damage was done as the Reds won 7-3.
Rookie Johnny Morrison got the start for Pittsburgh in just his second major league appearance, while Buddy Napier took the mound for the Reds looking for a sweep. The third game was a race against the clock, as no lights meant the game could be called for darkness. Fred Nicholson sparked a three-run rally for Pittsburgh in the first inning with a double. Morrison allowed four runs over six innings as the sun began to disappear. In the sixth inning, with night creating up Forbes Field, the Pirates added three more runs. Umpires decided to call the game with the Pirates winning 6-0 in a game shortened due to poor lighting conditions.
This remains the last tripleheader played in the majors, of note umpire Peter Harrison, was extra busy working home plate in all three games.