128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Four Series 3-4

1 and 2 are here.

29. 1954 Cleveland Indians v. 100. 1922 New York Giants

The '48 Indians have advanced; three of McGraw's teams have advanced including the 1921 Giants who we just saw in the prior series (yeah, I wish I could have had that bracket set up back; it was error).  The Giants won the World Series (beating the Yankees again) and the Indians infamously got swept in the Series by the Giants.

Giants-John McGraw

SS Bancroft (31)   109  6.6

CF Stengel (31)     154  2.6

RF Youngs (25)     120  3.4

C Smith (25)          118  1.3

2B Frisch (24)       110   4.4

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

P Douglas (32)      153   2.6

Bench:

SP2 Nehf (25)       122  3

SP3 Barnes (29)   115  1.5

The Giants will roll out the same 8 in each game; Frank Synder would catch against a lefty, but the Indians will send three right handers to the mound.  Douglas/Nehf/Barnes are the same starters we just saw the '21 Giants use in the previous series.  

Indians-Lopez

CF Doby (30)     129   4.9

1B Wertz (29)    122    1.6

3B Rosen (30)    147    4.4

2B Avila (30)      139    7

RF Pope (33)      118    .6

LF Smith (26)    127    4

C Hegan (33)     79      1.3

SS Strickland (28)  72  1.3

P Garcia (30)    140     6.1

Bench:

RF Westlake (33)  114  .7

SS Dente (32)      79       1.1

SP2 Lemon (33)   136    5.1

SP3 Wynn (34)     135    5.7

Dave Philley was the RF for the Indians; he's not getting a start, instead Pope/Westlake will platoon; Pope starting against the right handers. Lopez will play the hot hand at short.  Lot of good pitching options - but this is what they'll go with, leaving Bob Feller to most likely miss the series entirely.  Favored Indians have WAR advantage at 2B-3B-LF-CF- and then all 3 starting pitchers.  

1st: 30 year old right hander Mike Garcia stands on the Cleveland Stadium mound; 19-8 with a 2.64 ERA. 1-2-3

1st: 32 year old right hander Phil Douglas is the Giants pitcher today; 11-4 with a 2.63 ERA; he gets an out, but then gives up a solo homer to Vic Wertz, Giants 0 Indians 1

2nd: Frankie Frisch singles with one out, that's all.

2nd: Dave Pope only had 102 at bats in the regular season but he is the right fielder for game one and he walks to open the inning; two outs later he's standing at second base when George Strickland singles to center, Pope scores, we head to the third Giants 0 Indians 2

3rd: Heinie Groh opens with a walk, two outs later Casey Stengel singles, but that's all.

3rd: Larry Doby and Vic Wertz open with back to back singles -- the Giants do not want to fall too far behind against this Tribe pitching staff; an out later Bobby Avila singles home the third run, Giants 0 Indians 3

4th: Earl Smith, catching every game this series against an all right handed Indian rotation, singles and then Garcia hits Frisch - an out later High Pockets Kelly singles for the first Giants run -- Groh singles for the second Giants run -- Douglas helps himself with a single that ties the score -- Garcia then walks Bancroft to load the bases and a Stengel groundout scores the 4th Giants run of the inning. Now it's 4-3 Giants and Ross Youngs whacks a bases clearing double -the Giants have just rocked Garcia here in the 4th; it's 6-3 and Cleveland goes to the pen for a lefty Don Mossi.  The Indians also have a strong bullpen; led by Mossi with an ERA under 2.00.  Mossi walks Smith, the Giants send 11 men to the plate before the inning ends Giants 6 Indians 3

4th: Strickland singles with one out, that's all..

5th: Groh singles with two out, that's it.

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Bancroft leads off with a single and then Casey bangs a two run homer - the '22 Giants have scored 8 straight runs, 32 year old right hander Bob Hooper enters, he gives up a Youngs base hit but thats all.  Giants 8 Indians 3

6th: 30 year old Jack Scott had ten starts for the Giants, McGraw calls on him to relieve Douglas, he gives up a leadoff single to Pope and then Al Smith doubles him home. Jim Hegan then singles - this Indian team isn't going to roll over, now it's 8-5. 24 year old Rosy Ryan won 17 games as mixture of starter and reliever - he comes on and walks Strickland, an out later Doby singles home two runs -- the Cleveland crowd is back into this one Giants 8 Indians 7

7th: Kelly singles to open the inning - that's it.  

7th: 24 year old right hander Claude Jonnard comes on for McGraw - the Giants need to find 9 more outs - he gives up a one out double to Bobby Avila and then Pope singles.  Men on the corners for the Indians, they trail 8-7, Smith grounds to Groh - they get the runner at second but can't turn the double play and Avila scores the tying run. 25 year old right hander Virgil Barnes enters and ends it, we head to the 8th, Giants 8 Indians 8

8th: Bancroft opens with a base hit - and after an out, Youngs singles.  Now it's the Giants in business, men on the corners with only one away - Earl Smith punches a single to score the go ahead run, Cleveland turns to 25 year old Ray Narleski, he gets a groundout that scores a second run -- Meusel then singles home a third Giants run -- and Kelly doubles home a 4th.  You just can't keep this Giants team off the scoreboard.  Giants 12 Indians 8

8th: Strickland opens with a single - two outs later - it's Vic Wertz - he hits a two run bomb - you can't keep this Indians team off the scoreboard. 28 year old right hander Red Causey ends the inning Giants 12 Indians 10

9th: 33 year old lefty Hal Newhouser spent 15 years in Detroit - but he had a great season in the Indian bullpen in '54, with a 2.54 ERA. He gives up a two out single to Stengel, then walks Ross Youngs - but that's all.  We head to the bottom of the 9th - the Indians need two runs.

9th: Avila opens with a single - tying run coming to the plate. Causey gers an out but then gives up a single to Smith.  One out, 2 on -- tying run is now on base -- but Jim Hegan grounds into a 6-4-3 game ending double play.

Giants 12

Indians 10

WP Barnes

LP Hooper

The bats came out in game one; Bancroft reached 3 times, 3 hits for Stengel including a homer, Youngs reached 4 times, Smith 3 times, Kelly had 3 hits and Groh reached 3 times. 

For the Indians, 2 hits for Doby - Wertz had 3 with 2 homers, Avila had 3, Pope reached 3 times, Smith twice and light hitting Strickland reached 4 times.  

We head to New York - the '22 Giants looking to join the '21 Giants in the next round; Art Nehf, who dominated the Ruth/Gehrig Yankees in the prior series, on the hill - he faces Bob Lemon.  

Indians-Lopez

2B Avila (30)      139    7

3B Rosen (30)    147    4.4

LF Smith (26)    127    4

CF Doby (30)     129   4.9

1B Wertz (29)    122    1.6

RF Westlake (33)  114  .7

C Hegan (33)     79      1.3

SS Strickland (28)  72  1.3

SP Lemon (33)   136    5.1

Giants-John McGraw

SS Bancroft (31)   109  6.6

CF Stengel (31)     154  2.6

RF Youngs (25)     120  3.4

C Smith (25)          118  1.3

2B Frisch (24)       110   4.4

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

SP Nehf (25)       122     3

1st: The winningest Giants pitcher in 1922 is Art Nehf; the 29 year old lefty was 19-13 with a 3.29 ERA. He walks Al Rosen with one out - but that's all.

1st: 33 year old Bob Lemon was 23-7 for the Indians with a 2.72 ERA - he gives up a two out single to Ross Youngs. That's it.

2nd: With two out, Jim Hegan singles - George Strickland hit .213 this year; his starting in game one was basically a coin flip over Cleveland's other light hitting shortstop - but he reached base 4 times in game one, and here he doubles down the left field line to score Hegan.  Bob Lemon hit a couple of homers in '54 -- and he becomes the first pitcher to go deep in the tournament - a 2 run shot - and now the score is Indians 3 Giants 0

2nd: Frankie Frisch opens with a single - two outs later Lemon walks Groh and Nehf -- bases loaded for the Giants; but that's all.  

3rd: Al Rosen reaches second on a Meusel error and two outs later scores on a Vic Wertz single.  Wally Westlake is the RF against the lefty Nehf - and he bangs a double.  It's 5-0 Cleveland and evident Nehf will not replicate his MVP from the prior series.  Hegan laces a single - the inning ends Indians 6 Giants 0

3rd: With one out, Youngs and Smith single back to back - Frisch then singles and the Giants are on the board. It ends there.  Indians 6 Giants 1

4th: Lemon follows his homer with a double - Bob Lemon tearing it up with the bat; an out later he scores on a Rosen double; that's all Indians 7 Giants 1

4th: Bancroft draws a two out walk, that's all.

5th: Wertz opens with a single, but that's all.

5th: Youngs singles - an out later Frisch singles and when Meusel follows with a double it clears the bases, don't look now, but the Giants have some life.  Indians 7 Giants 3

6th: With two out, Avila and Rosen single back to back, but that's all.

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Doby opens with a single, that's it.

7th: Youngs opens with a single, an out later Frisch singles - the Polo Grounds crowd stirs, but that's as far as it goes and now we're headed to the 8th, Indians 6 outs away from send this back to Cleveland.

8th: Strickland opens with a walk, that's all.

8th: 25 year old right hander Ray Narleski brings his 2.66 ERA to the mound, He gives up a one out pinch single to Bill Cunningham, hitting for Nehf, but that's all - Indians sure look like they're about to force a showdown game.

9th: Rosy Ryan enters for the Giants, he gives up a Smith single, that's it.  Bottom of the 9th.

9th: Youngs walks and an out later Frisch singles.  Giants have them on the corners, only one out - Meusel walks to load them up - that makes High Pockets Kelly the potential tying run at the plate.  Narleski strikes him out.  Then Groh flies to deep right - but it's gathered and the game is over.

Indians 7

Giants 3

WP Lemon

LP Nehf

So - Lemon goes 7, gives up 3, and homers and doubles, can't ask for much more.  For the Indians, Doby now has 3 hits, Wertz has 5 with those 2 game 1 homers, Avila has four hits, Smith's reached 3 times and Strickland has reached 6 times in two games.  Al Rosen reached 3 times today, Hegan 3 times in the series.

For the Giants, Youngs has now reached base 9 times, Bancroft and Smith 4 each, Groh has reached four times, Meusel 3 and Frisch has 6 hits, 5 of them today.  

Back we go to Cleveland for the winner take all. Early Wynn for the Indians, Jesse Barnes for the Giants, two right handers dueling for the right to move on.

CF Stengel (31)     154  2.6

RF Youngs (25)     120  3.4

C Smith (25)          118  1.3

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

2B Frisch (24)       110   4.4

SS Bancroft (31)   109  6.6

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

P Barnes (29)   115  1.5

2B Avila (30)      139    7

3B Rosen (30)    147    4.4

CF Doby (30)     129   4.9

1B Wertz (29)    122    1.6

LF Smith (26)    127    4

RF Pope (33)      118    .6

SS Strickland (28)  72  1.3

C Hegan (33)     79      1.3

P Wynn (34)     135    5.7

1st: 34 year old Early Wynn takes the Cleveland Stadium mound, 23-11 with a 2.73 ERA, 1-2-3

1st: 29 year old Jesse Barnes, like Wynn, a right hander, is looking to pitch McGraw's 4th team into the second round, 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA. 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Bancroft opens with the first hit of the day, but that's all.  Wynn's easily through 3.

3rd: Wynn gets Cleveland's first hit - a two out double - but Barnes is also easily through 3.

4th: Ross Youngs walks, he goes all the way to third on an Earl Smith single - and then crosses the plate on an Irish Meusel single.  The Giants dent the scoreboard - and they keep it going with run scoring singles by Kelly and Frisch.  3-0 Giants and still nobody out.  Bancroft gets his second single of the day and it loads the bases, but Wynn's able to limit the damage to Giants 3 Indians 0

4th: Wertz draws a one out walk - but that's it.  4 innings down and the Giants lead by 3.

5th: Ross Youngs hits a one out triple and then Earl Smith maybe ends this series with a two run homer.  Meusel singles - that's all, but the Giants are really rolling now Giants 5 Indians 0

5th: 1-2-3 -- Barnes has only allowed one hit and is staked to a 5 run lead.

6th: Frisch singles and Bancroft walks - hard to think the Indians can give up even one more run and stay in this one -- they don't, Wynn gets out of it.  

6th: Avila hits a one out single but that's all.  The Giants are 9 outs away from advancing.

7th: Ross Youngs singles - and two innings after he hit a two run homer, Earl Smith hits another one, which sure looks like it ends both the series and clinches Smith the MVP. Giants 7 Indians 0

7th: 1-2-3 and they're heading to the exits.

8th: 25 year old lefty Don Mossi enters for the Indians, he gives up singles to Bancroft and Groh, but that's all.

8th: 1-2-3

9th: With one out, Earl Smith hits his third homer of the day - that's the first 3 homer game in the tournament, it might be the first three homer series in the tournament - and it's 8-0.  Meusel singles, with another out, Frisch does as well, and that ends it, Giants 8 Indians 0

9th: 1-2-3

Giants 8

Indians 0

WP Barnes

LP Wynn

Just domination today - 17 hits to 2, Barnes throws the complete game.  Ross Youngs had a helluva series, reached base a dozen times, which might be the high so far in the tournament.  Meusel reached 6 times, Bancroft 8 times, and Frankie Frisch had 8 hits just in games 2 and 3.  

But the MVP is Earl Smith - 4 hits today, 5 RBI -- and 3 home runs in the winner take all game.  

As the 1921 Giants in the series prior - the 1922 Giants will move on.

They'll meet the winners of this one:  

36. 2018 Houston Astros v. 93. 1921 New York Yankees

An Astros team has advanced.  8 Yankees teams have advanced - this '21 team lost the World Series to the '21 Giants team we just saw beat a Yankees team a couple series ago. 

Yankees-Miller Huggins

C Schang (31)  123  3.5

LF Ruth (26)   239  11.8

RF Meusel (24)  128  4.1

3B Baker (35)   99    2

1B Pipp (28)     95     2

CF Miller (30)  103   .7

2B Ward (24)   98     3.1

DH Roth (28)   97     .3

SS Peckinpaugh (30) 97  3.3

P Mays (29)      138   6.7

Bench:

DH Fewster (25)  95   .3

SP2 Hoyt (21)    136   4.9

SP3 Shawkey (30) 103  2.8

Nothing but right handed starting pitching in this series; Fewster/Roth really a coin flip at DH each game; this Yankees club is Ruth and a bunch of guys who are not Ruth.  

Astros-AJ Hinch

2B Altuve (28)   130  4.2

3B Bregman (24) 152  7.7

1B White (27)    140    1.4

DH Kemp (26)   105    1

CF Springer (28)  114  3.3

LF Gonzalez (29) 101  2.1

RF Reddick (31)  97    1.6

SS Correa (23)     99    2.5

C McCann (34)    76    .8

P Verlander (35)   164  7.4

Bench

C Stassi (27)   94        1.9

1B Gurriel (34)  105   2.1

SP2 Cole (27)   144    6.2

SP3 Morton (34)  133  3.6

Stassi has more bat that McCann, but with all right handers going with the Yankees, they'll at least start the series this way.  Gurriel's the starting first baseman but doesn't really fit in the series against all right handers, theoretically, he could play first with White sliding to DH if Kemp doesn't hit in game one.  The current game 2 plan is a left field choice between Kemp and Gonzalez as there's no DH in Yankee Stadium.  Astros are the seed favorite, they have the WAR advantage at 1B (if Gurriel plays only) 2B-3B-CF-DH and starting pitching in all 3 games.

1st: 35 year old Justin Verlander stands on the Minute Maid Park mound, 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA; 1-2-3

1st: 29 year old Carl Mays (all the starters for both teams are right handed all series) is 27-9 with a 3.05 ERA, he gets one - but then Alex Bregman, who was the MVP of the series when the 2017 Astros advanced - homers. We head to the second Yankees 0 Astros 1

2nd: Home Run Baker opens with a single, an out later Elmer Miller singles, a second out later the Yankee DH, Braggo Roth, singles to right to tie the score. Yankees 1 Astros 1

2nd: George Springer opens with a single, followed by a Marwin Gonzalez walk, but Mays works out of it.

3rd: Verlander gets the first two, but Bob Meusel then homers - and New York takes the lead Yankees 2 Astros 1

3rd: Brian McCann opens with a single, but nothing else.

4th: Verlander gets the first two - gives up an Aaron Ward single but that's all.

4th: Tony Kemp walks to open the inning and steals second; and out later Gonzalez doubles him home Josh Reddick reaches by error, then Carlos Correa singles home Gonzalez, Houston's back on top Yankees 2 Astros 3

5th: Wally Schang hits a one out double - that's it. 

5th: Bregman singles to open the inning, an out later Tyler White singles, but that's it.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3 -- we head to the 7th, Astros still up a run.

7th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Verlander.

7th: McCann singles with one out - but nothing else, tight game 1 in Houston, let's go to the 8th.

8th: Houston goes to the pen - 30 year old right hander Brad Peacock, he gives up a one out single to the Babe, his first hit of the day, and then Baker singles an out later -- that puts the tying run in scoring position for Wally Pipp - but Peacock gets him.

8th: Tyler White opens with a base hit, that's it.  We go to the 9th inning.  Astros still up a run.

9th: Hector Rondon is Houston's 30 year old right handed closer, 15 saves, 3.20 ERA, he comes on, Miller leads off with a single, but that's all - the Astros take game one.

Astros 3

Yankees 2

WP Verlander

LP Mays

Really strong outing for Verlander, 7 innings, 7 strikeouts and no walks. Bregman had a couple hits including a homer, White and McCann each had a couple hits and Gonzalez reached twice.  

For New York - Baker and Miller both had two hits and Meusel homered.  Harmless 1-4 for the Babe.

We go to Yankee Stadium - it's Waite Hoyt going for the Yankees trying to keep them alive one more day, and it's Gerrit Cole looking to move the Astros forward.

2B Altuve (28)   130  4.2

3B Bregman (24) 152  7.7

1B White (27)    140    1.4

CF Springer (28)  114  3.3

LF Gonzalez (29) 101  2.1

RF Reddick (31)  97    1.6

SS Correa (23)     99    2.5

C McCann (34)    76    .8

SP Cole (27)   144    6.2

C Schang (31)  123  3.5

LF Ruth (26)   239  11.8

RF Meusel (24)  128  4.1

3B Baker (35)   99    2

1B Pipp (28)     95     2

CF Miller (30)  103   .7

2B Ward (24)   98     3.1

SS Peckinpaugh (30) 97  3.3

SP Hoyt (21)    136   4.9

1st: Waite Hoyt is going to pitch until he's 38 years old.  But right now he's 21, 19-13, 3.09 ERA. 1-2-3

1st: Gerrit Cole will eventually pitch in Yankee Stadium in pinstripes, but right now he's 27, 15-5 with a 2.88 ERA - He walks Schang and Ruth back to back to open the game, but gets through it.

2nd: With one out, Gonzalez doubles and then Reddick follows with a run scoring single. The Astros are on the board.  Astros 1 Yankees 0

2nd: Pipp opens with a single - after an out Aaron Ward doubled to tie the score and Peckinpaugh follows with a base hit to give New York a lead. Astros 1 Yankees 2

3rd: Cole singles to open the inning - okay, Gerrit Cole had 9 at bats for the Astros in 2018, he didn't get a hit and struck out 8 times.  But he singles here.  That's why you play the games. Altuve singles - and after an out, White grounds out to tie the score.  Springer walks, but the inning ends Astros 2 Yankees 2

3rd: The Babe was quiet in game one - he hits a ball that clears the foul pole in right field here, an absolute bomb.  Bob Meusel then doubles -- and Home Run Baker hits a two run shot - Cole is getting rocked, it's 5-2. Miller singles after the first out, and then after the second out Roger Peckinpaugh hits a two run homer of his own.  Now its 7-2.  Hoyt singles.  Schang singles -- the Yankees have batted around - the Babe is up again -- and he hits a 3 run bomb even further than his first homer.  Babe Ruth has hit two home runs in one inning.  Yankee Stadium a sea of joy - they have seen Babe Ruth hit two home runs in the same inning.  He never did that in his storied career.  24 year old lefty Framber Valdez enters and ends the inning, but it hardly matters, Astros 2 Yankees 10

4th: You can forgive a 21 year old Hoyt if he might have a hard time settling down, the crowd continues to buzz. Reddick and Correa single back to back to open, but that's all.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Bregman and White lead off with walks, an out later Gonzalez singles and then Reddick singles to drive home a run, White then scores on a ground out - Hoyt walks McCann to load the bases, but that's all.  Astros 4 Yankees 10

5th: Schang walks with two out, that's it.

6th: Altuve singles, two outs later Springer walks, but that's all.

6th: Meusel walks, an out later Pipp singles, a Miller sac fly makes it Astros 4 Yankees 11

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Schang singles with two out, Ruth walks, Meusel doubles home two runs and now it's 13-4. 31 year old right hander Collin McHugh had a great year, 1.99 ERA, he ends it.  Astros 4 Yankees 13

8th: Altuve singles with one out, that's all.

8th: 1-2-3

9th: With one out, Gonzalez and Reddick walk - Correa then singles and the bases are loaded.  That's all though.  An easy one for the Yankees.

Astros 4

Yankees 11

WP Hoyt

LP Cole

Complete game for Hoyt. Schang reached four times for the Yankees, Ruth also reached 4 times with those 2 homers. Meusel reached three times, Baker homered, Pipp and Peckinpaugh both had two hits, one of Roger's was a homer. 

Altuve had 3 hits, Springer reached twice, Gonzalez has now reached 4 times, Reddick reached 4 times today, Correa reached twice.

We go back to Houston.  Winner take all.  Houston will go with Charlie Morton; New York counters with Bob Shawkey.

C Schang (31)  123  3.5

LF Ruth (26)   239  11.8

RF Meusel (24)  128  4.1

3B Baker (35)   99    2

1B Pipp (28)     95     2

CF Miller (30)  103   .7

2B Ward (24)   98     3.1

SS Peckinpaugh (30) 97  3.3

DH Fewster (25)  95   .3

SP3 Shawkey (30) 103  2.8

2B Altuve (28)   130  4.2

3B Bregman (24) 152  7.7

DH White (27)    140    1.4

CF Springer (28)  114  3.3

LF Gonzalez (29) 101  2.1

RF Reddick (31)  97    1.6

1B Gurriel (34)  105   2.1

SS Correa (23)     99    2.5

C Stassi (27)   94        1.9

SP3 Morton (34)  133  3.6

1st: 34 year old Charlie Morton was 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA, if he wins today, the Astros advance. He walks Wally Schang to open, Babe Ruth then singles - Bob Meusel singles to score Schang and a Home Run Baker sac fly scores Ruth.  Wally Pipp then doubles home Meusel, Thats how it ends, Yankees 3 Astros 0

1st: 30 year old Bob Shawkey was 18-12 with a 4.08 ERA; he's stakes to a 3-0 lead on the road against the Astros. 1-2-3

2nd: Chick Fewster gets his first start at DH, he and Peckinpaugh single back to back, an out later they decide to intentionally walk Ruth - loading the bases with only one out - and it works, Morton slips it.

2nd: Josh Reddick draws a two out walk, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: With one out, Max Stassi and Jose Altuve single, but that's it.  We go to the 4th, Yankees 3 Astros 0

4th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Morton.

4th: Gonzalez draws a two out walk, that's all.  

5th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Morton.

5th: Correa walks with one away - but that's all.  Bob Shawkey coming up big so far.

6th: 1-2-3, 14 straight for Morton.  Can't ask for much for from either pitcher today.

6th: 1-2-3, Shawkey's given up just those two singles in the third.

7th: Houston goes to the pen for right hander Brad Peacock - he gives up a single to Peckinpaugh and then hits Fewster.  After an out - Hinch makes the same call he did back in the 2nd and intentionally walks Ruth - bases loaded, just one out - this time a Peacock wild pitch brings home a run - and after the second out, a Baker single brings home the other two - it's 6-0 Yankees.  Framber Valdez ends the inning, Yankees 6 Astros 0

7th: Gonzalez opens with a double, an out later Gurriel, making his first start of the series, singles. Correa then singles and it's 6-1.  Yankees 6 Astros 1

8th: Miller and Ward open with singles, Peckinpaugh then singles, his third hit of the day, it scores a run, Yankees 7 Astros 1

8th: White singles with one out, but that's all.  We head to the 9th.

9th: 1-2-3

9th: Gurriel walks and Correa singles. An out later Altuve walks to load the bases - can the Astros somehow get back in this one?  They can't.  

Yankees 7

Astros 1

WP Shawkey

LP Morton

Complete game win for Shawkey - Ruth reached 7 times in the series and had the two homer inning in game 2, Peckinpaugh followed his 2 hit game in game 2 with 3 in game 3.  Ruth's going to get the MVP here, that two homer inning just changed this entire series.

So, the top half of Region 4 is in the books - 

1909 A's v. 1921 Giants

1922 Giants v. 1921 Yankees

We're just 4 series away from completing the top half of the bracket in this 128 team tournament:

13. 1970 Baltimore Orioles v. 116. 1958 New York Yankees

52. 2013 Boston Red Sox v. 77. 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers

20. 2018 Boston Red Sox v. 109. 1934 Detroit Tigers

45. 1947 New York Yankees v. 84. 1989 Oakland A's

Two Earl Weaver teams have advanced, including the '71 Orioles.  The '52 and '53 Yankees are both in the next round.

The Red Sox have not advanced yet, neither has Brooklyn.

Yeah, I don't love seeing two contemporary Red Sox teams in the same half of this region.  No Tiger team from that era has moved forward yet.  

The '41 and '43 Yankees have moved on - there's not an Oakland team in the next round yet.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Four Series 1-2

Series 7-8, Region 3

24 teams have advanced into the next round.

2 Orioles

Tigers

8 Yankees

3 Cardinals

Reds

A's

Indians

Dodgers

2 Giants

Nationals

Phillies

Astros

Cubs

8 more will fill the Region 4 slots - we'll see Cardinals, 2 A's, 2 Giants, Astros, Orioles, Red Sox, Dodgers, Tigers, and of course, 4 Yankees.  

We start here - with the top remaining overall seed in the tournament.

4. 1942 St Louis Cardinals v. 125. 1909 Philadelphia A's

We've seen one of Connie Mack's teams move on, the '29 A's - this Athletic team finished second in the AL.  3 Cardinal teams have advanced including 1943 and 1944 -- can one more WWII era Cardinal squad move into the second round?

Athletics-Connie Mack

LF Hartsell (35)   121   2.1

2B Collins (22)    170    9.9

3B Baker (23)      146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

P Krause (20)        174   4.8

Bench:

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

SP2 Bender (25)      147   5.5

SP3 Plank (33)         138   5.3

SP3 Morgan (30)     147   3.7

Straight platoon in left for Mack; third starter is a lefty/righty choice dependent upon first two games of the series.

Cardinals-Billy Southworth

CF Moore (30)    114   2.8

LF Musial (21)    151   5.2

RF Slaughter (26) 156  6.5

C Cooper (27)      115   3

1B Sanders (25)    107  .7

SS Marion (25)     103   4.9

3B Kurowski (24)  103  2.1

2B Brown (32)      80     1.7

P Cooper (29)       192   7.7

Bench:

1B Hopp (25)      103   .6

CF Walker (23)   113  1

SP2: Beazley (24)  160 4.5

SP3: White (25) 136     1.2

Southworth's going to run whomever the hot bat is at first; Walker/Moore is a platoon.  Cards are a heavy seed favorite in a tournament that has seen each of its top seeds bounced, they have the WAR advantage at C-SS-LF-CF-RF and in the game 1 pitching matchup.

1st: 29 year old right hander Mort Cooper takes the mound at Sportsmans Park, 22-7 with a 1.78 ERA.  Topsy Hartsel opens with a walk, he moves to second on a groundout - and then scores on a Home Run Baker single. Are we going to see our 4th top seed eliminated in round 1?  A's 1 Cards 0

1st: 20 year old lefty Harry Krause gets the ball for the Athletics, 18-8 with a 1.38 ERA; 1-2-3

2nd: Harry Davis opens with a single, thats it.

2nd: Ray Sanders singles with an out, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Eddie Collins walks, steals second, takes third on a groundout and scores on a sac fly - Connie Mack's crew small balling its way to a 2-0 lead

4th: Stan Musial triples and then scores on a groundout.  Athletics 2 Cardinals 1

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Eddie Collins singles with one out - and he's going to come all the way around to score on a Baker double - the A's add to the lead, Athletics 3 Cardinals 1

6th: Musial singles with two out - that's it.  Krause's only given up 3 hits and the A's have a two run lead with three innings left.

7th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3 -- Cooper's also been good, just given up 4 hits, but trails by two as we head to the 8th.

8th: 1-2-3 

8th: 1-2-3 - strong pitchers duel, but Krause has the better of it with just an inning to go.

9th: 1-2-3 -- Cooper's done all he can here.

9th: Terry Moore singles to center and now here comes Musial - he's got two hits already and now he is the tying run.  Krause strikes him and and then gets the next two and its done.

Athletics 3

Cardinals 1

WP Krause

LP Cooper

Only 8 combined hits in this one; just four baserunners for the Cards against Krause. For the A's Collins and Baker each reached twice.  For the Cards Musial had two hits, one was that triple.

So - we're going to Philadelphia, the Cards need a win to stay alive.

Cardinals-Billy Southworth

RF Slaughter (26) 156  6.5

LF Musial (21)    151   5.2

CF Walker (23)   113  1

C Cooper (27)      115   3

3B Kurowski (24)  103  2.1

1B Hopp (25)      103   .6

SS Marion (25)     103   4.9

2B Brown (32)      80     1.7

P Beazley (24)  160 4.5

Athletics-Connie Mack

LF Hartsell (35)   121   2.1

2B Collins (22)    170    9.9

3B Baker (23)      146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

P Bender (25)      147   5.5

1st: 25 year old right hander Chief Bender is 27 outs away from moving his team forward; he was 18-8 with a 1.66 ERA; Slaughter opens with a walk, Musial reaches on an error, Harry Walker is in the Cardinal lineup today, he singles - we're three batters in and the Cards have a run. Walker Cooper's going to ground into a double play that scores the second run.  Whitey Kurowski walks, but the inning ends Cardinals 2 Athletics 0

1st: 24 year old Johnny Beazley's been staked to a lead, 21-6 with a 2.13 ERA; Topsy Hartsel singles to open, an out later, Baker reaches on an error and the A's have men on the corners, Danny Murphy grounds out - it scores a run, the inning ends Cards 2 A's 1

2nd: Marty Marion opens with a double -  after an out, Jack Berry makes his second error of the day, Beazley reached and Marion scores.  Slaughter singles - and then Bender hits Musial.  The Cards have the bases loaded with just one out and a two run lead, Harry Walker hits a big blow - a bases clearing triple, now it's Cards 6 A's 1

2nd: Paddy Livingston leads with a single, but that's all.  

3rd: Bender opens by hitting Hopp - that's the second Cardinal he's hit, and then Marion singles, but that's all.

3rd: Hartsel walks with one out, but nothing else.

4th: Walker singles with one out, that's all.

4th: Baker singles to open - that's it.  

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Barry singles with one away, Hartsel reached on an error and then Barry scores on a Collins sac fly. We're 5 innings in - Cards 6 A's 2

6th: With one out, Slaughter triples with one out - Musial walks, a Walker groundout makes it 7-2

6th: Danny Murphy hits the first pitch over the wall, Davis singles and Beazley hits Livingston - two Cards have been hit, and now there is some jawing at Beazley from the A's bench - Beazley buckles down and gets through it.  Cards 7 A's 3

7th: 24 year old right hander Jimmy Dygert enters, 1-2-3

7th: Hartsel and Collins single back to back to open the 7th - if the A's are going to make a comeback today, maybe this is their shot. Home Run Baker doubles both of them home - and now it's 7-5, there's nobody out and the A's are closing in. Beazley walks Murphy and Davis back to back - folks, the tying run is in scoring position and there is nobody out.  25 year old right hander Murry Dickson now comes on for the Cards - -- and he gets out of it.  Cards 7 A's 5

8th: Slaughter singles with two out, that's it.

8th: Collins doubles with two out - but that's all and we're an inning away from heading to St Louis for the showdown.

9th: Dygert hits Kurowski with 2 out - that's 3 Cardinals hit today.  Kurowski very, very slowly makes his way down to first base, not saying a word. The inning ends.  

9th: Davis walks -- but there's nothing else.  We're going to St Louis.

Cardinals 7 

Athletics 5

WP Beazley

LP Bender

For the Cards, Musial's now reached 4 times, Slaughter reached 4 times just today, Harry Walker had 3 hits and 5RBI today, Marty Marion reached twice.

For the A's, Collins has now reached 5 times, Baker 4, Hartsel and Davis three today, and Murphy homered today.

Let's go back to St Louis for the showdown game.

Athletics-Connie Mack

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

2B Collins (22)    170    9.9

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

3B Baker (23)      146    5.3

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP Plank (33)         138   5.3

Cardinals-Billy Southworth

CF Moore (30)    114   2.8

LF Musial (21)    151   5.2

RF Slaughter (26) 156  6.5

C Cooper (27)      115   3

SS Marion (25)     103   4.9

3B Kurowski (24)  103  2.1

1B Hopp (25)      103   .6

2B Brown (32)      80     1.7

SP: White (25) 136     1.2

1st: 25 year old right hander Ernie White is on the mound at Sportsman's Park; he's attempting to pitch the top remaining overall seed in the tournament into the next round.  He was 7-5 with a 2.52 ERA, 1-2-3

1st: The A's call on Eddie Plank, 33 year old lefty, 19-10 with a 1.76 ERA - can he advance his A's forward? He gives up a leadoff single to Terry Moore, but that's all.

2nd: With one out, Harry Davis reaches on an error, Paddy Livingston singles - and then Rube Oldring and Jack Barry hit consecutive doubles - that scores 3 runs, White then hits his opposite number Plank - there have been some hit batsmen in the series, Plank gets hit hard here with a fastball to the ribs and slowly makes his way to first base.  That ends the inning A's 3 Cards 0

2nd: Plank shakes off the HBP and goes 1-2-3

3rd: Danny Murphy leads off with a single but is erased on a double play; Harry Davis then singles but White limits the threat.

3rd: Plank hits Brown right in the forearm with the first pitch - sure looks to be payback - the St Louis crowd is heating up - Plank stares hard at the Cardinal dugout - either the clubs will view themselves as even or we have a real combustible situation in this winner take all showdown.  An out later, Moore gets his second hit -- that brings up Musial - he hits a run scoring single to put the Cards on the board; that's as far as it goes.  3 innings in the books -- Athletics 3 Cardinals 1

4th: Plank singles with two out, he's reached twice, Heinie Heitmuller, getting his first start, singles, but White holds the A's down.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Baker walks to lead off, that's it.

5th: With one out, Harry Walker hits for White - Southworth bringing his best bench bat into the game now - but Plank gets him.  We're through 5 - the A's are four innings away from knocking off another top seed.

6th: Murry Dickson, a right hander, enters, he gives up a one out walk to Barry - after a second out, Heitmuller rips a triple --- Barry will score -- it is starting to get late in St Louis for the top remaining seed in this tournament. A's 4 Cards 1

6th: Musial singles -- but thats all.

7th: Baker singles - that's it.  

7th: These Cardinal fans looking for any sign of hope against Plank - Kurowski singles with one out, but that's all.  Plank is six outs away.

8th: 32 year old right hander Harry Gumbert enters, 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3 - Musial lining out to end the inning; the champagne is on ice in the visitors clubhouse.

9th: 26 year old right hander Howie Krist enters; he gives up a one out single to Heitmuller, Collins singles to put me on the corners - and then Heitmuller scores on a wild pitch; there's the insurance; the A's take a 4 run lead. Athletics 5 Cardinals 1

9th: 1-2-3

Athletics 5

Cardinals 1

WP Plank

LP White

Plank throws a 5 hitter and the 4th number one seed has been bounced in the first round.

Heitmuller had 3 hits today, in his only start. Baker and Barry each reached twice today, that gives Baker six times on base for the series. Pitching rules the day for the A's, complete game wins in games 1 and 3 make Krause and Plank the series co MVPs.

The 1909 A's advance - they'll meet the winners of this matchup:

61. 1921 New York Giants v. 68. 1931 New York Yankees

Two John McGraw Giants teams have advanced; we've seen 8 Yankees squads move on, including the '37 club.  The Giants won the whole thing beating the Yankees in the series- the Yankees finished second in the AL. 

Yankees-Joe McCarthy

CF Combs (32)    125  3.5

3B Sewell (32)     109   3

RF Ruth (36)        218  9.9

1B Gehrig (28)     194   8

C Dickey (24)       119   4.3

LF Chapman (22)  135 5.3

SS Lary (25)         113   5.2

2B Lazzeri (27)    107   2.7

P Gomez (22)       150    4.9

Bench:

SP2 Ruffing (26)   91   2.8

SP3 Pennock (37) 93   2.3

SP3 Johnson (25)  85   .8

Pitching after Gomez is a real issue for this Yankee team; we'll see if the bats can carry them through, they'll send this 8 out in each game.  

Giants-John McGraw

CF Burns (31)  106  2.7

SS Bancroft (30) 118  6.6

1B Kelly (25)      130   3.4

3B Frisch (23)     128   6.6

C Snyder (27)      119  2.9

LF Meusel (28)    116  .9

RF Youngs (24)   128  3.3

2B Rawlings (28) 65   .6

P Barnes (28)       120  2.5

Bench:

C Smith (24)    147   2.6

CF Walker (24)  107 .7

SP2: Nehf (28)   102  2.2

SP3: Toney (32) 103  2

Giants pitching in games 2 and 3 is also likely to struggle; platoons here at catcher and center for McGraw.

1st: 28 year old right hander Jesse Barnes stands on the mound at the Polo Grounds, about to face Ruth and Gehrig.  He was 15-9 with a 3.10 ERA. He immediately loads the bases - Combs and Sewell single back to back and then Barnes throws 4 straight balls to Ruth.  Gehrig comes to the plate with the bases loaded.  He grounds out - but a run scores, and then a second run scores on a Snyder passed ball. That's all for the Yankees. Yankees 2 Giants 0

1st: There's really just one top level arm in the series; 22 year old Lefty Gomez, 21-9 with a 2.67 ERA; he gives up a leadoff single to George Burns, after two out he walks Frankie Frisch and gives up a Frank Snyder single.  Bases loaded for the Giants - but Gomez keeps them off the board.

2nd: Lyn Lary singles to lead off followed by a Tony Lazzeri single - Barnes gets one then walks Combs and the Yankees have the bases loaded again.  Sewell flies out - but Ruth singles and scores two, and then Gehrig doubles two home.  That ends the day for Barnes, who is the best pitcher on this Giants staff, 23 year old right hander Rosy Ryan enters and ends the inning.  The Giants might struggle keeping this Yankee team in check.  Yankees 6 Giants 0

2nd: Ryan walks with two away, Burns follows with a walk - and Bancroft gets the Giants on the board with a base hit -- that brings up High Pockets Kelly -- and he lines a shot to left that just curls inside of the foul pole - and this is sort of what we expected this series, Frisch adds a base hit and we head to the third Yankees 6 Giants 4

3rd: Lazzeri walks with two out, but no further damage.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Combs singles to open the 4th, after two out, McGraw calls for Gehrig to be walked - but Dickey comes through with a run scoring single. Yankees 7 Giants 4

4th: Burns singles with one away, Kelly follows his homer with a ground ruled double - but Gomez stops it there.

5th: Lazzeri hits a one out double, Gomez drops a perfect bunt - there's not a play, Combs singles to make it 8-4, Sewell singles to make it 9-4.  After a second out the Giants are going to their rotation and grabbing Fred Toney, who was scheduled to pitch in game 3. He gives up a run scoring single to Gehrig - the Yankees lead 10-4

5th: Snyder hits the first Gomez pitch over the wall, the Giants second homer, Meusel has an 0-2 count but leans into a breaking ball, takes it off the forearm, and then Ross Youngs singles.  That's all Gomez allows.  Yankees 10 Giants 5

6th: Lacy singles with an out, Lazzeri follows with a single and Gomez walks.  The Yankees have the bases loaded and are back up at the top of the order.  Combs hits a sac fly - now it's 11-5, Meusel misplays a Sewell fly ball and now it's 12-5 -- Ruth singles and then Gehrig singles -- this inning will end Yankees 14 Giants 5

6th: Kelly singles with one out, but that's all.

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Meusel and Youngs walk with one out, then Rawlings reached on an error - bases loaded, only one away, Curt Walker is the pinch hitter - there's a two run scoring single to make it 14-7 and (Gomez is still in the game) Burns singles to load the bases and Bancroft walks to make it 14-8. The Yankees go to the pen for a right hander, Ivy Andrews - and he ends it. It's the highest scoring game thusfar, Yankees 14 Giants 8

8th: 22 year old right hander Red Shea is the next Giants pitcher, 1-2-3

8th: Frisch doubles to open the inning, after an out, Meusel singles, a Youngs groundout cuts the lead to 14-9 and the Yankees go back to the pen for George Pipgras, and he ends it.  Yankees 14 Giants 9

9th: Rube Benton is the next Giants pitcher, he gives up a single to Ruth, but that's all.  

9th: Eddie Brown, in the pitchers spot, walks, so does Burns - Pipgras gets the next two - then walks Frisch to load the bases -- but that will end it.

Yankees 14

Giants 9

WP Gomez

LP Barnes

23 runs and 32 hits combined for the two clubs in game one.  For the Yankees: Combs reached 4 times, Sewell twice, Ruth reached 4 times with 3 RBI, Gehrig reached 4 times with 5 RBI, Lazzeri reached 4 times, Lazzeri twice

For the Giants, Burns reached 5 times, Bancroft twice, Kelly had 3 hits with a homer and double, Frisch reached 4 times, Snyder twice with a homer, Meusel and Youngs twice.

We head to Yankee Stadium and expect another slugfest as the bats for these teams really outpace the arms.  

Giants-John McGraw

SS Bancroft (30) 118  6.6

3B Frisch (23)     128   6.6

RF Youngs (24)   128  3.3

C Smith (24)    147   2.6

1B Kelly (25)      130   3.4

LF Meusel (28)    116  .9

CF Walker (24)  107 .7

2B Rawlings (28) 65   .6

SP: Nehf (28)   102  2.2

Yankees-Joe McCarthy

LF Chapman (22)  135 5.3

SS Lary (25)         113   5.2

RF Ruth (36)        218  9.9

1B Gehrig (28)     194   8

C Dickey (24)       119   4.3

CF Combs (32)    125  3.5

2B Lazzeri (27)    107   2.7

3B Sewell (32)     109   3

P Ruffing (26)   91   2.8

Yanks throwing a RH, so you get the expected changes in the Giants lineup; Giants throwing a LH, so you get shuffling of that lineup.

1st: 26 year old Red Ruffing is on the Yankee Stadium mound, 16-14 with a 4.41 ERA, and if you're thinking that solidly below the levels of number 2 starters we've seen in the tournament - yup.  Dave Bancroft opens with a walk, two outs later Ross Youngs singles - but that's all.

1st: 28 year old Art Nehf faces the daunting task of this Yankee team that pounded out 14 runs in game one; 20-10 with a 3.63 ERA. Lyn Lary reaches on a one out error, but Nehf gets Ruth and Gehrig and we head to the second.

2nd: Curt Walker's in the Giant lineup today against the right hander Ruffing, he doubles with two out, but that's it.

2nd: Dickey opens with a single - thats all.

3rd: Nehf opens with a walk and then Dave Bancroft lines a ball just clearing the right field wall to make it 2-0. Earl Smith walks two outs later but that's all, Giants 2 Yankees 0

3rd: Lary singles with two out and then Ruth is aboard on an error, but Nehf gets Gehrig again and we're headed to the 4th.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3 -- through 5, not the game we anticipated.

6th: 1-2-3 - Ruffing's retired 10 straight

6th: 1-2-3 -- Ruth and Gehrig are both hitless, Nehf's retired 10 straight and we're headed to the 7th, still Giants 2 Yankees 0

7th: Irish Meusel opens with a double, but that's all.

7th: Combs reaches on a one out error but thats it - Art Nehf has held the Yankees to two hits today.

8th: Frish reaches on a one out error, Ross Youngs walks -- then Earl Smith, catching today against the right handed Ruffing, bangs a 3 run homer -- and now you've got to think we are headed back to the Polo Grounds for the showdown game.  Ivy Andrews enters for the Yankees; gives up a double to High Pockets Kelly and after the second out of the inning, allows a double to Walker (Walker and Smith, both McGraw's moves coming up aces) that scores the 6th Giants run.  They're starting to think about the exits here at Yankee Stadium, Giants 6 Yankees 0

8th: 1-2-3

9th: 24 year old right hander Roy Sherid takes the mound, Bancroft singles with one out, that's it.

9th: Nehf's day is done, 23 year old right hander Rosy Ryan enters to lock this one up - he gets Ruth, but gives up a single to Gehrig - it doesn't matter.  

Giants 6

Yankees 0

WP Nehf

LP Ruffing

Art Nehf comes up huge, 8 innings, just two hits.  Bancroft has now reached 5 times in the series, including a homer, Youngs has reached 4 times, Earl Smith hit that big 3 run homer today and reached twice, Walker reached twice today.

Back we head to the Polo Grounds.  Winner take all.  

Yankees-Joe McCarthy

CF Combs (32)    125  3.5

RF Ruth (36)        218  9.9

1B Gehrig (28)     194   8

C Dickey (24)       119   4.3

LF Chapman (22)  135 5.3

3B Sewell (32)     109   3

SS Lary (25)         113   5.2

2B Lazzeri (27)    107   2.7

SP Pennock (37) 93   2.3

Giants-John McGraw

CF Burns (31)  106  2.7

SS Bancroft (30) 118  6.6

1B Kelly (25)      130   3.4

3B Frisch (23)     128   6.6

RF Youngs (24)   128  3.3

C Snyder (27)      119  2.9

LF Meusel (28)    116  .9

2B Rawlings (28) 65   .6

P Douglas (31)     88

Like Game 1, the Giants go with a right hander - they used their third starter, Toney, in relief back in game 1, their last option is the right handed Douglas. And like game 1, the Yankees go with a left hander, Pennock. The Yankees bump up Ruth/Gehrig looking for extra at bats.  Game 3 = winner take all.

1st: 31 year old right hander Phil Douglas was not expected to pitch in the series, but McGraw used his third starter out of the bullpen and that puts Douglas in the position of pitching this showdown game against the Yankees.  15-10, 4.21 ERA. He gives up a leadoff double to Combs, but that's all.

1st: 37 year old lefty Herb Pennock takes the ball for the Yankees - 11-6 with a 4.28 ERA.  He gives up a leadoff single to Burns, but that's all.

2nd: With one out, Joe Sewell doubles, after a second out, McGraw decides to walk Lazzeri to get to the pitcher's spot -- but Pennock beats them with a run scoring single. Combs follows with a single and it's 2-0; Ruth follows with a single and it's 3-0, and then Gehrig hits a titanic shot off the top of the left field foul pole, a 3 run bomb - the Yankees have six and Douglas is out of the game.  Rosy Ryan enters, he gets out of it, Yankees 6 Giants 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Sewell doubles with one out, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Bancroft and Kelly single to open the inning, a Frisch groundout scores a run, Youngs then doubles another run home, there's a walk to Snyder and a Meusel base hit has cut the Yankee lead in half. McCarthy goes to the pen for Roy Sherid and he ends the inning.  We've got a game, Yankees 6 Giants 3

5th: Gehrig singles but is erased on a Dickey double play.  Ryan then gives up a Chapman triple and a Sewell walk - but that's it.  

5th: With one out, Bancroft and Kelly again single back to back, Frisch then grounds a base hit through the box -- and now it's 6-4.  After an out, Snyder singles -- and this Polo Grounds crowd now believes this is happening - they are in a frenzy it is 6-5 Yankees.  That's how it ends.  Yankees 6 Giants 5

6th: Lazzeri and a pinch hitter, Samuel Byrd, single to open the inning, Ryan gets a Combs double play - but it scores the 7th run.  McGraw goes to a lefty, Rube Benton, he gives up a Ruth single but that's all.  Yankees 7 Giants 5

6th: George Pipgras is next for the Yankees - he gives up a Rawlings single, but that's all.  We head to the 7th.

7th: 1-2-3; really a strong bullpen effort from the Giants.

7th: Kelly walks and with an out, Youngs does as well. Frank Snyder then doubles both of them home -- man, oh man it is all tied up at 7 and the Polo Grounds are on fire.  31 year old lefty Ed Wells sees his first action of the series. He walks Meusel and Rawlings to load the bases.  Are the Giants about to bust this open? Curt Walker hits for the pitcher - he grounds out - but it scores the go ahead run and we're going to head to the 8th Yankees 7 Giants 8

8th: 36 year old lefty Slim Sallee enters for the Giants - 6 outs from advancing. He gives up a one out single to Lazzeri, then Arndt Jorgens pinch singles.  The tying run is in scoring position and the Yankees are back at the top of the order.  Combs hits into a fielders choice -- so now there are two on, two out -- the Yanks are down a run.  And Babe Ruth is coming to the plate.

Fun, right?

He lines a bullet - right at Bancroft.  

8th: 27 year old right hander Jim Weaver is the next Yankee pitcher, after an out, he gives up a Kelly single and walks Frisch, Ross Youngs then singles - and now it's 9-7. An out later Ivy Andrews comes on - he gives up a walk to Meusel - gets on 0-2 count on Johnny Rawlings -- who then his a bases clearing double --- that scores 3 huge runs and would you believe it, the Giants are about to win this series. Yankees 7 Giants 12

9th: 1-2-3

Yankees 7

Giants 12

WP Benton

LP Pipgras

The Giants were seed favorites but it never felt like that, the Yankees just bombing away in game one and then, after Nehf handcuffed them in game 2, hanging a 2nd inning six spot today.  But its the Giants who advance.  

Bancroft reaches 7 times in the series, Youngs, 6. Kelly/Snyder/Meusel/Rawlings all reached 3 times today, that gives Kelly 7 times to reach in the series.  There's not really a ton of space among all the hitting stars for the Giants in the series - so Art Nehf will be the MVP.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Three Series 7-8

Series 5-6 are here.

19. 1953 New York Yankees v. 110. 1998 Houston Astros

The '52 Yankees advanced, the '56 Yankees did not.  Casey's got another squad here, the World Champion 1953 team, heavily favored by seeding over a Houston team that lost in the NLDS.

Astros-Larry Dierker

2B Biggio (32)    139   5

LF Alou (31)      157   6

1B Bagwell (30) 158   6.4

3B Berry (32)     136   2.4

RF Bell (29)       125    4.1

CF Hidalgo (23)  118   1.7

C Ausmus (29)   91      2.6

SS Gutierrez (28)  79   .5

P Hampton (25)  123   3.7

Bench:

CF Everett (27)  121   3.6

Gm2 Reynolds (30) 117  5.4

Gm3 Lima (25)   111   4.2

Everett will play against RH and maybe a game 2 LH; Randy Johnson isn't eligible to start for the Astros.  Hampton is the only lefty New York will see.

Yankees-Casey Stengel 

SS Rizzuto (35)   103   3.4

RF Bauer (30)     130   3.9

CF Mantle (21)   144   4.8

C Berra (28)        141   5.6

LF Woodling (30)  146  3.8

3B McDougald (25)  113  3.7

1B Collins (30)     120   1.3

2B Martin (25)   94       1.5

P Lopat (35)       152     3.9

Bench: 

Gm2 Ford (24)   123     3.4

Gm3 Raschi (34) 111    2.6

No changes coming to this Yankee lineup other than batting order; Raschi is the only right hander they'll send to the mound.  Yankees have the seed advantage and the WAR advantage at C-SS-3B-CF-RF and the pitching advantage in game 1.

1st: 35 year old left hander Ed Lopat takes the mound at Yankee Stadium; 16-4 with a 2.42 ERA, he gives up a leadoff single to Biggio - two outs later, with Biggio now at second, he's driven home by a Sean Berry base hit.  Derek Bell then singles -- and Richard Hidalgo, making a somewhat surprising start in center - hits a three run homer.  A huge first inning for the Astros 4 Yankees 0

1st: 25 year old lefty Mike Hampton is on the bump for the Astros; 11-7, 3.36 ERA -- 1-2-3

2nd: Biggio singles again with one out, after a second out, Bagwell walks - but Lopat keeps them off the board.

2nd: Yogi gets the Yankees going with a homer and then Hampton walks Gene Woodling, following two outs (Woodling wiped off the basepaths) Joe Collins singles and Martin walks - two on, two out - and Lopat helps himself with a base hit.  The inning ends Astros 4 Yankees 2

3rd: Brad Ausmus singles with two out, but that's all.

3rd: Mantle and Yogi single back to back after an out - and then a Woodling sac fly makes it 4-3. 

4th: Moises Alou singles with two out followed by a Bagwell base hit - but Lopat stops it there.

4th: Collins walks to open it up, but that's all.

5th: Derek Bell opens with a walk, an out later, Lopat loses Ausmus - but nothing else.

5th: Yogi gets his third hit with 2 out, Woodling and McDougald single back to back to load the bases; big spot here, bases loaded - 2 away - Astros clinging to a 1 run lead - Collins singles to left -- that's going to score two runs and the Yankees have come all the way back to take a 5-4 lead - Billy singles and this inning ends Astros 4 Yankees 6

6th: Bagwell singles with two out, that's it.

6th: Houston's got a strong pen; 34 year old right hander Doug Henry comes on; he walks Rizzuto but nothing else.  We head to the 7th.

7th: The Yankees then turn to their pen with 28 year old right hander Tom Gorman, he walks Derek Bell, but that's all.

7th: Yogi opens the inning with his 4th hit, but that's all.

8th: 1-2-3

8th: 33 year old lefty Mike Magnante is probably the least effective member of the Astros pen, but he gets the ball here and sets the Yankees down in order.  We head to the 9th.

9th: Alou doubles to open the inning - an out later Sean Berry singles, and now it's 6-5 with the tying run on base - the potential winning run coming to the plate.  Derek Bell singles.  Now there are two - still just one out - the tying run in scoring position; 36 year old right hander Allie Reynolds comes on to try to close this out.  He gets Hidalgo to ground out - the lead runner advances to third.  Men on the corners - the tying run is at third base -- and Reynolds gets Ausmus to ground out and it's over.

Astros 5

Yankees 6

WP Lopat

LP Hampton

Nice comeback here in game one for the Yankees - 4 hits for Yogi including a homer; Collins reached 3 times, Woodling and Martin twice.  

Derek Bell reached 4 times for Houston, Ausmus and Bagwell 3, Biggio, Alou and Berry 2 -- and Hidalgo hit that big homer that sure looked like it got Houston off on the right foot for the series.

We move to the Astrodome for Game 2 - Houston will go with Shane Reynolds; and the Yankees turn to Whitey Ford.

Yankees-Casey Stengel 

LF Woodling (30)  146  3.8

C Berra (28)        141   5.6

CF Mantle (21)   144   4.8

1B Collins (30)     120   1.3

RF Bauer (30)     130   3.9

3B McDougald (25)  113  3.7

SS Rizzuto (35)   103   3.4

2B Martin (25)   94       1.5

P Ford (24)   123     3.4

Astros-Larry Dierker

2B Biggio (32)    139   5

LF Alou (31)      157   6

1B Bagwell (30) 158   6.4

3B Berry (32)     136   2.4

RF Bell (29)       125    4.1

CF Everett (27)  121   3.6

C Ausmus (29)   91      2.6

SS Gutierrez (28)  79   .5

P Reynolds (30) 117  5.4

1st: 30 year old right hander Shane Reynolds is on the hill, looking to keep his Astros alive; 19-8, 3.51 ERA.  He's off strong.  1-2-3.

1st: 24 year old lefty Whitey Ford hits the Astrodome mound; 18-6 with a 3.00 ERA, can he clinch this series for New York?  1-2-3

2nd: Reynolds walks Collins/Bauer back to back to open the 2nd; he gets McDougald 5-4-3 and with two out, Rizzuto gets the Yankees first hit.  Reynolds gets up 0-2 on Martin - but he battles the count full and then slaps a run scoring single to left.  Yankees 1 Astros 0

2nd: Ford walks Berry/Bell back to back to open his half of the inning - after an out, he walks Ausmus.  So - tricky here for Ford, even though Houston's at the bottom of the order. He slips it though and we're onto the third.

3rd: Woodling opens with a single, but that's it.

3rd: Biggio opens with a walk, after an out, Ford hits Bagwell - Houston doesn't have a hit but has put 5 men on; Berry walks and the bases are loaded for the second straight inning - and again, Ford works out of it.  Houston's stranded 6 in three innings of play.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: The first Astros hit - Shane Reynolds, a two out single.  Woodling then drops a fly ball - and Houston again has multiple men on base - and again, they stay there.  8 stranded through 4.

5th: Ford matches Reynolds with a one out single of his own, that's it.  

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Reynolds walks Mantle and Collins - Bauer then singles - the bases are loaded; there's nobody out - and maybe this is the spot the Yankees end this series.  McDougald singles.  Rizzuto singles. That scores all 3 - Martin reached on an error and the bases are loaded again.  Yankees up 4-0 -- After an out, a Woodling sac fly gives us the inning ending score of Yankees 5 Astros 0

6th: 1-2-3 -- and if you're an Astro fan, your resignation grows.

7th: 31 year old Bob Scanlan gets the call for Houston; he gives up a one out Collins single, that's it.

7th: Casey goes to the pen - Tom Gorman enters, he gives up a two out double to Alou, nothing else.

8th: 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3

9th: 26 year old lefty John Halama gets the call for Houston; gives up a two out walk to Yogi, that's all.

9th: Richard Hidalgo hits in the pitchers spot and singles with 2 out, then Biggio walks.  Allie Reynolds comes on to close the door - but he gives up a base hit to Alou, and now it's 5-1. That's it, everyone goes home.

Yankees 5

Astros 1

WP Ford

LP Reynolds.

The Astros scored four in the first inning of the series and then got shut down; Collins reached 6 times in the series, Yogi was the hitting star in game one but hitless today...Collins is your MVP.  

The '53 Yankees advance - they'll face the winner of our final Region 3 Series:

46. 1971 Baltimore Orioles v. 83. 1940 Cincinnati Reds

Baltimore is the seed favorite; they won the AL pennant - this Reds team won the whole thing. We've seen one Earl Weaver team advance; this is the first Reds team of the era we've seen.

Reds-Bill McKechnie

2B Frey (29)     101    5.7

LF Ripple (30) 151    .9

C Lombardi (32) 138  3.6

1B F. McCormick (29) 132  5.3

RF Goodman (31)  98    1.6

3B Werber (32)  113       5.1

CF M.McCormick (23)  87  .8

SS Myers (29)    65         1.4

P Walters (31)   154        5.6

Bench:

LF Rizzo (27)     121     .8

SP2 Turner (36) 132     3.2

SP3 Derringer (33) 124 4.2

Strict left field platoon for the Reds; all their starting pitchers will be right handed.

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (34)  153   5

1B Powell (29)   138   3.3

RF Robinson (35)  153  3.5

CF Rettenmund (28) 149  5.5

2B Johnson (28)   125    4.2

C Hendricks (30)  105    1.9

3B Robinson (34)  114    5.6

SS Belanger (27)  97       4.6

P Palmer (25)     126        4.3

Bench:

SP2 McNally (28)  117   2.8

SP3 Dobson (29) 116      3.8

SP3 Cuellar (34) 109      2.2

The Orioles role out the same 8 every game for this series, meaning Paul Blair stays on the bench, Dobson/Cuellar is a game 3 decision dependent upon Reds batting success in games 1-2.  Favored Orioles have the WAR advantage at SS-3B-LF-CF-RF; Reds have pitching advantage in at least two games.

1st: 25 year old right hander Jim Palmer stands on the Memorial Stadium mound, 20-9, 2.68 ERA, he sets the Reds down in order.

1st: 31 year old right hander Bucky Walters gets the ball for the Reds; after an out, he gives up a Boog Powell double, but thats it.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Brooks Robinson draws a two out walk, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Lonny Frey leans into a Palmer breaking ball, it grazes his arm - and he's the first Reds baserunner. That's it.  

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Ival Goodman hits the first pitch into center for a single, that's it.  

5th: Brooks Robinson walks again, this time with one out, that's it.  Through 5, each team has just one hit.

6th: Jimmy Ripple steps into the starting lineup after largely being a bench bat and he singles with two out - but that's all.

6th: With two out - Frank Robinson hits an absolute rocket - deep into the Baltimore night to break the scoreless tie.  Reds 0 Orioles 1

7th: Ernie Lombardi opens with a single - but that's all.  Great pitchers duel here in Baltimore.

7th: Davey Johnson opens with a double, he moves to second on an out - Brooks Robinson singles to left - Johnson's waved around, Ripple is going to throw home - Lombardi blocks the plate - there's a collision.  And Johnson is out.  We will head to the 8th Reds 0 Orioles 1

8th: 1-2-3

8th: Don Buford singles with one out, after the second out, he's at second - and then he scores when Frank Robinson singles to center.  We will go to the 9th, Reds 0 Orioles 2

9th: 1-2-3

Reds 0

Orioles 2

WP Palmer

LP Walters

Complete game 3 hit shutout for Palmer, strikes out 4, doesn't walk anyone. Bucky Walters was great, threw a 6 hitter, but outdueled by Palmer.  2 hits by Frank Robinson, including the HR and both RBI; Brooks Robinson reached 3 times. 

Off to Cincinnati - the Orioles throw a lefty, Dave McNally, Cincinnati calls on right handed Jim Turner to stay in the tournament.

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (34)  153   5

1B Powell (29)   138   3.3

RF Robinson (35)  153  3.5

CF Rettenmund (28) 149  5.5

2B Johnson (28)   125    4.2

C Hendricks (30)  105    1.9

3B Robinson (34)  114    5.6

SS Belanger (27)  97       4.6

P McNally (28)  117   2.8

Reds-Bill McKechnie

LF Rizzo (27)     121     .8

C Lombardi (32) 138  3.6

1B F. McCormick (29) 132  5.3

3B Werber (32)  113       5.1

2B Frey (29)     101    5.7

RF Goodman (31)  98    1.6

CF M.McCormick (23)  87  .8

SS Myers (29)    65         1.4

P Turner (36) 132     3.2

1st: 36 year old right hander Jim Turner stands on the mound at Crosley Field; his Reds need a win to stay alive.  He was 14-7 with a 2.89 ERA; Don Buford gets the Orioles going with a leadoff single - and out later, longtime Red Frank Robinson, who came up big in game 1 - now comes up again with a base hit, after a second out, Davey Johnson doubles both men home, Baltimore is off and running Orioles 2 Reds 0

1st: 28 year old lefty Dave McNally takes the ball for the Orioles- Baltimore had 4 20 game winners; McNally was 21-5 with a 2.89 ERA; he walks Johnny Rizzo to open it up, two outs later he's standing at second - from which he scores on Billy Werber's single.  The Reds won't get shutout today, Orioles 2 Reds 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Mike McCormick doubles with one out, followed by a Billy Myers walk, an out later - Johnny Rizzo comes to the plate; so - he and Ripple are backups for this Red team - but McKechnie chose to move their platoon into the starting lineup for this series -- Johnny Rizzo hits a three run rocket -- today isnt game one, it's already Orioles 2 Reds 4

3rd: Boog Powell opens the the third with a homer - an out later, Marv Rettenmund homers, Davey Johnson then hits his second double of the day, and this inning will end Orioles 4 Reds 4. 

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: With two out - Don Buford hits Baltimore's third homer of the day, in game 1 it was the pitching - in game 2, Baltimore's bats really shining through.  Orioles 5 Reds 4

4th: Goodman leads off with a walk - and Mike McCormick singles - Reds in business, Billy Myers walks - that loads the bases with no one out; what happens here.  McNally gets one - then Rizzo hits a hot grounder that looks to be headed for left - Brooks Robinson makes a helluva diving stop - but doesn't have a play and now it's tied.  Lombardi then hits a two run single - the inning will end Orioles 5 Reds 7

5th: Frank Robinson opens with a walk, followed by a Rettenmund single - Davey Johnson's third hit of the day cuts the lead to 7-6 and brings a pitching change.  24 year old right hander Johnny Hutchings comes on; he gets an Elrod Hendricks groundout to score the tying run Orioles 7 Reds 7

5th: Werber doubles - after an out Goodman doubles - now it's 8-7 and that ends McNally's day. 28 year old lefty Grant Jackson enters and gets through it.  Plenty of bats today.  Orioles 7 Reds 8

6th: Buford walks with two out - the Reds go again to the pen, 29 year old right hander Joe Beggs, with a dozen wins and an ERA of 2.00 - he gives up a double to Powell that ties the score -- and then it's Frank Robinson again - saying hello to the town where he began his career with a mammoth 2 run shot -- what a game we have at Crosley today, 10-8 Baltimore.  The Reds go to 34 year old lefty Milt Shoffner, ineffective during the season, Rettenmund singles but that's it.  Orioles 10 Reds 8

6th: Rizzo draws a one out walk - but theres no threat.  We head to the 7th.

7th: Brooks Robinson doubles with one out, 25 year old right hander Elmer Riddle comes on to close the inning out.

7th: 31 year old lefty Pete Richert is the third Oriole pitcher, 1-2-3

8th: Don Buford leads off with a triple - scores on a Powell groundout.  11-8; Frank Robinson singles - that brings on 25 year old lefty Johnny Vander Meer.  Rettenmund singles - and Davey Johnson probably ends the game with his third double - it scores both men and now it's 13-8 and it's time to put Region 3 to bed for round 1.  After an out, Brooks Robinson and Mark Belanger draw back to back walks to load the bases - but thats all.  Orioles 13 Reds 8

8th: 1-2-3

9th: The Reds tab a starter, Gene Thompson, to pitch; he wasn't scheduled for game 3, even were somehow a game 3 to happen - he walks Buford but that's all.

9th: Baltimore's best relief arm is 30 year old right hander Eddie Watt and he comes on - Lombardi gets a one out single but thats it.

Orioles 13

Reds 8

WP Jackson

LP Beggs

Don Buford reached 5 times today - including a homer and triple.

Boog Powell homered and doubled with 3 RBI

Marv Rettenmund had 4 hits, including a homer.

Davey Johnson had 4 hits - with 3 doubles and 5 RBI

And of course, Jim Palmer was masterful in game 1.

But the MVP is Frank Robinson - 2 homers in the series; reached base 6 times and had 4 RBI.

That ends Region 3, Round One.  Here's the matchups when we see them again:

2011 Phillies v. 1999 Yankees

1904 Giants v. 2017 Astros

1909 Cubs v. 1978 Yankees

1953 Yankees v. 1971 Orioles

3 Regions down.  We head to Region 4 to finish off the top half of the bracket.  Each of the number one seeds have been knocked off - that makes the top seed in Region 4 the current top overall seed in this tournament - the 1942 Cardinals.