North Shore Notes

Looking Back at 1990

The 1990 Pirates entered July one game in front of a surging Mets team and 2.5 games ahead of the Montreal Expos. The Mets spend the bulk of the month hot on their heels, alternating between half-a-game and two games back until finally catching the Bucs on the 26th and pulling ahead on the 27th. July turned into August with the two teams deadlocked atop the standings with identical 58-41 records.

July 1: As Comiskey Park celebrates its 80th birthday, Yankees' hurler Andy Hawkins throws a no-hitter, but loses the game to the White Sox, 4-0.

July 5: Every starter gets at least one hit as the Bucs storm back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Dodgers 9-6 at Dodger Stadium behind home runs by Sid Bream, Andy Van Slyke, Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla.

July 10: Barry Bonds appears in the first of 14 career All-Star Games, going 0-for-1 as the American League shuts out the National League 2-0 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Bobby Bonilla and Neal Heaton join Bonds in representing the Pirates.

July 12: Jeff King?s single in the bottom of the 15th scores Dann Bilardello, giving the Pirates a 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Padres. The Pirates scored three in the first on a Barry Bonds three-run homer in the first and were held scoreless for the next 13 innings before King knocked in the game-winner. Bob Patterson picked up the win with four scoreless frames.

July 17: Minnesota becomes the first team in baseball history to turn two triple plays in the same game. The Twins' multiple triple killings aren't enough as the team loses to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, 1-0.

July 18: Jeff King hits a grand slam and drives in five runs while Doug Drabek wins his 11th as the Bucs rout San Francisco 11-2.

July 21: The Dodgers Tim Belcher throws a gem, allowing just one hit and one walk in a complete game shutout as L.A. tops Pittsburgh 6-0 at Three Rivers Stadium.

July 22: Bobby Bonilla hits his 20th home run and middle infielders Jay Bell and Rafael Belliard drive in three runs apiece and the Pirates defeat the Dodgers 11-6.

July 23: The Pirates are shutout for the second time in three games, 5-0, as Dennis Martinez of the Expos throws a complete game four-hitter.

July 24: Sid Bream homers and drives in three runs and Doug Drabek improves to 12-4 in the Pirates 5-3 win over Montreal.

July 25: Marquis Grissom hits a three-run walk-off shot off Stan Belinda to give the Expos a 10-inning, 8-7 win over the Pirates.

July 27: Charlie Hayes collects three hits as the Phillies beat the Pirates 5-3. The loss drops the Bucs to second place behind the Mets.

July 29: Doug Drabek is masterful in throwing a complete game two-hitter as the Bucs beat the Phils 2-1 despite getting only three hits themselves.

July 31: At County Stadium, Ranger righty Nolan Ryan wins his 300th game defeating the Brewers, 11-3. The 43 year old from Alvin, Texas will compile 324 victories during his 27-year big league career.