on september 5, 1922, while playing for dallas, lovelace was sold to the pittsburgh pirates of the national league. on september 23, 1922, the pirates were playing the brooklyn robins in the first game of a doubleheader at ebbets field in brooklyn. in the top of the 9th inning, with the pirates down 9–5, lovelace pinch hit for pitcher hal carlson. with a runner, charlie grimm, on first, lovelace lined out to the robins' second baseman ivy olson. rabbit maranville grounded out to first base for the final out of the game, and the robins won 9–5. it was the only major league game of his career because he broke his leg sliding in to base.