It's Been Worse

What an embarrassment Saturday's 12-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels at Wrigley Field was. But it still fell short of the humiliation the Cubs must have felt following their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Friendly Confines on Sept. 16, 1975.

Rennie Stennett became just the second player in major league history to collect seven hits in a nine-inning game to lead Pittsburgh to a 22-0 rout - the most lopsided big league shutout since 1900.

Stennett doubled twice, tripled, and scored five times. Wilbert Robinson of the 1892 Baltimore Orioles is the only other player to go 7-for-7 in a nine-inning game.

Some of the patrons among the 4,932 in attendance at Wrigley for the Tuesday afternoon game hadn't even settled into their seats by the time the Pirates had managed nine runs in the first inning.

Rick Reuschel, a hefty 215-pound right-hander, retired just one batter and was removed after allowing eight runs on six hits while walking two and striking out six. Reuschel must have been eager to indulge in the clubhouse postgame meal.

The Pirates had 24 hits - three each by Willie Stargell and Frank Taveras - and home runs by Dave Parker and Richie Hebner.

Pittsburgh starter John Candeleria, meanwhile, allowed just two hits.