Pirates Rally in Eighth to Spoil Lucchesi’s Debut as Cub Manager, 4-1

It didn’t take Frank Lucchesi long to find out--again--why managers often have short careers.

Pittsburgh’s 4-1 victory, their 11th over Chicago in 14 games this season, spoiled the debut of Lucchesi, who was named interim manager earlier Tuesday, replacing Gene Michael. Michael resigned.

Lucchesi, 59, managed in the minor leagues for 17 years before taking over the Philadelphia Phillies from 1970-72. He replaced Billy Martin as manager of the Texas Rangers in 1975 and managed them until he was fired in 1977. His managerial record in the major leagues was 341-429.

Mike Diaz and R.J. Reynolds hit run-scoring singles in the eighth inning to snap a 1-1 tie as Mexican-born pitcher Vicente Palacios earned his first major league victory.

“It’s a little tough coming back to the big leagues, but it presented a challenge, but after getting up at 6 a.m., to meet with Dallas Green (Cubs’ president) I didn’t realize I had a speaking engagement tonight,” Lucchesi said.

Rick Sutcliffe (15-8) gave up a one-out single to Andy Van Slyke in the eighth. After walking Bobby Bonilla, Sutcliffe was relieved by Frank DiPino. Pinch-hitter Diaz singled to left to score the tiebreaking run, and Reynolds followed with another run-scoring single off DiPino.

Sutcliffe, who struck out nine, has lost four in a row since he last won on July 28.

“After I walked Bonilla (Bobby), Lucchesi came out to the mound and told me he was going to replace me with DiPino, but indicated to me he would give me a choice of whether I could get out the next hitter, Sid Bream,” Sutcliffe said.

“But, I told him (Lucchesi) that I honestly felt I could get get Bream on a ground ball out and do the same against Reynolds, but he told me I was through,” Sutcliffe said.

“I know Lucchesi will be the manager for the remaining 25 games and it’s something I have to get used to, and it’s not for me to question what a manager does.”

According to Sutcliffe, “I was very upset before the game when I learned Michael was leaving, because he was the one person in the organization who had faith in me that I could comeback from two bad years and a series of bad injuries.”

Palacios, 1-0, making his first start in the majors since his contract was purchased from Vancouver on Sept. 1, allowed six hits in eight innings, walking one and striking out four. Palacios, who was 13-5 at Vancouver, left for a pinch hitter, and Jim Gott pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Speaking through interpreter Al Pedrique (Pittsburgh shortstop) Palacios said, “I was really nervous in the first three innings because my fastball was up, and getting a chance in the majors after the White Sox gave up on me in 1985, was too good to be here.”

Van Slyke drove in a run in the ninth with his third hit, a single, to make it 4-1.

The Cubs scored a run in the opening inning after Dave Martinez’s leadoff single. Martinez took second on Ryne Sandberg’s ground out and scored on Leon Durham’s double to center.

The Pirates tied the score in the fifth. Al Pedrique led off with a single. Palacios and Barry Bonds each grounded into fielder’s choices, but Bonds stole his 27th base, scoring on Jose Lind’s single.