July, 2020 Athlete of the Month

June is here.

Cristiano Ronaldo.  Runners-up: Lewis Hamilton, Jon Rahm, Nelson Cruz

Third straight international soccer player; major US sports are just starting now, so the rest of the year might look more traditional than the past few months.  

7 months down in the race for Athlete of the Year, 2020

January-Joe Burrow

February - Damien Williams
March -Sabrina Ionescu
April- Chu-Yu Hsien

May-Manuel Neuer

June-Robert Lewandowski

July-Cristiano Ronaldo

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

1-2 are here.

6 spots left.  2 about to get claimed.

25. 1908 Chicago Cubs v. 104. 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers

-3 Cubs teams from this era have already advanced; we will see this core group multiple times in the next round - for the Dodgers, it's Jackie Robinson's last chance to move forward. Both these clubs won the World Series.

Dodgers-Walter Alston

3B Robinson (36)  95    2.5

CF Snider (28)      169  7.4

C Campanella (33)  152   5.6

RF Furillo (33)      130  4.1

1B Hodges (31)      127  4.4

SS Reese (36)        103   3.7

LF Amoros (25)   95      1.4

2B Gilliam (26)    83      2.2

P Newcombe (29)   128  6.2

Bench

SP2 Loes (25)       114  1.7

SP3 Erskine (28)  108  1.8

Same lineup every day for the Dodgers, all RH pitchers.

Cubs-Frank Chance

2B Evers (26)   143  5.1

CF Howard (30)   109  1.2

1B Chance (31)  119   4.1

C Kling (32)       118   4.9

SS Tinker (27)   118   7.4

LF Sheckard (29)  101   1.1

RF Schulte (25)   88   .3

3B Steinfeldt (32)  88   1.9

P Brown (31)      160    8.1

Bench

SP2 Reulbach (25)   116  4.7

SP3 Overall (27)      123  2.6

Same lineup every day, all RH pitchers.  Cubs are seed faves, they have WAR advantage at 2B-SS-and all 3 SP

1st: 31 year old RH Three Finger Brown was 29-9 with a 1.47 ERA, after an out, he walks Duke Snider, then gives up a Roy Campanella single - after the second out he walks Gil Hodges to load them up -- but he escapes unscathed.

1st: 29 year old RH Don Newcombe was 20-5, 3.20 -- he gives up a leadoff single to Johnny Evers but nothing else.

2nd: Sandy Amoros walks, then Jim Gilliam singles - Don Newcombe hit the hell out of the ball in '55, he had the second best OPS+ on the team; if I could, I'd have hit him third -- he rips a single to right center to score the run. After the first out, the best hitter on the team, Duke Snider, doubles home another run and then Campanella singles home two more.  Gil Hodges singles after the second out, then Pee Wee Reese reached on an error to score the 5th run -- the Dodgers have batted around - Sandy Amoros is back up again, singling home another run -- another Cub error puts Gilliam on for another run -- it's an enormous inning - Dodgers 7 Cubs 0

2nd: Jimmy Sheckard singles with two out, that's it.  

3rd: Jackie Robinson singles, that's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Hodges walks, Reese reached again on error and then Brown hits Amoros - this has gotten out of hand for the Cubs - Gilliam singles to score two, after an out Robinson walks - it ends there.  Dodgers 9 Cubs 0

4th: 1-2-3

5th: After an out, Hodges singles, Reese walks - after the second out, Gilliam singles home another run - and then Newcome singles home his second run - Robinson singles home the 12th Dodger run - Dodgers 12 Cubs 0

5th: Sheckard doubles with one out, that's it.

6th: 28 year old RH Carl Lundgren enters, gives up a Campanella single, that's it.

6th: Lundgren/Evers/Howard all single to load them up -- the Cubs get one on a Chance groundout, but nothing else. Dodgers 12 Cubs 1

7th: Amoros singles with one out, that's it.

7th: Steinfeldt doubles with two out, that's it.

8th: 1-2-3

8th: Howard walks with one out, nothing else.

9th: Campanella walks, after an out, Gil Hodges tripled and it's a Brooklyn Baker's Dozen.  The Cubs game 2 starter was going to be Ed Reulbach - but it will not be, he enters now - and he gets hit - Reese triples to score the 14th run -- Amoros doubles to score the 15th, it's a tournament high.  And then Jim Gilliam gets his 4th hit of the day and it is a doozy -- he hits a ball to center that shoots into the right field corner, getting away from everyone -- and Gilliam keeps running -- all the way around -- for the first inside the park home run in the tournament.  It is 17-1.  It is 17-1!  Newcombe singles.  Robinson walks.  This Reulbach move is a disaster.  Snider then walks to load the bases - the Dodgers have batted around for the second time - Campanella sac fly makes it 18 runs.  And then Carl Furillo triples -- that scores two more and it's 20!  The Dodgers go into Chicago as underdogs (by seed, not notably, not by WAR) and they hang 20 on the Cubs.  Dodgers 20 Cubs 1

9th: The Dodgers best relief arm is 24 year old RH Don Bessent - 1-2-3

Dodgers 20

Cubs 1

WP Newcombe

LP Brown

Wow.  

20 runs on 20 hits for Brooklyn.  Everyone in the lineup hit.  Robinson reached 4 times, Snider 3, Campanella 4 times with 3 RBI, Furillo just once - but it was a triple that scored 2.  How about 5 times for Gil Hodges with a triple of his own.  He also scored 4 runs.  Reese also scored 4, reaching twice, with a triple. Amoros reached 4 times, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored.  Jim Gilliam reached 4 times, hit that inside the park home run, 5 RBI and 3 runs scored.  And Newcombe had 3 hits, 2RBI, 2 runs scored.  He also went 8 innings and just gave up the one run.  

Wow.

Evers, Howard, Sheckard all reached twice.

We head to Brooklyn.  The Dodgers are one win away from moving on.

2B Evers (26)   143  5.1

CF Howard (30)   109  1.2

1B Chance (31)  119   4.1

C Kling (32)       118   4.9

SS Tinker (27)   118   7.4

LF Sheckard (29)  101   1.1

RF Schulte (25)   88   .3

3B Steinfeldt (32)  88   1.9

SP3 Overall (27)      123  2.6

3B Robinson (36)  95    2.5  

CF Snider (28)      169  7.4

C Campanella (33)  152   5.6

RF Furillo (33)      130  4.1

1B Hodges (31)      127  4.4

SS Reese (36)        103   3.7

LF Amoros (25)   95      1.4

2B Gilliam (26)    83      2.2

SP2 Loes (25)       114  1.7

1st: 25 year old RH Billy Loes can pitch Brooklyn into the next round and this Ebbets Field crowd is already rabid today having seen their Dodgers hang 20 on the Cubs in game one.  10-4, 3.59. He walks Johnny Evers, but that's all.

1st: It was supposed to be Reulbach - but he was used in relief in game one; so the Cubs move 27 year old RH Orval Overall up, 15-11, 1.92. He gives up a leadoff walk to Robinson - 36 year old Jackie then steals second and scores on a Duke Snider double and the Dodgers are off and running again. Cubs 0 Dodgers 1

2nd: Jimmy Sheckard walks with two out, Frank Schulte singles, nothing else.  

2nd: Pee Wee Reese walks, Loes helps himself with a base hit - and then Jackie Robinson hits one of the left field foul pole - a three run shot - that might be the blow that puts the Dodgers into the next round - the enormous - earth shattering roar from this Brooklyn crowd as Robinson rounds the bases. Cubs 0 Dodgers 4

3rd: With one out, Evers/Howard single, but nothing results.  

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Sheckard doubles, nothing else.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Robinson singles, steals second again, moves to third on an out - and scores when Campanella reaches by error.  5 runs for the Dodgers and Robinson's played a role in all of them. Cubs 0 Dodgers 5

6th: Chance walks, nothing else.

6th: Hodges walks, that's all.

7th: Sheckard walks, Schulte singles - Cubs have them on the corners with nobody out and this could be their last stand - Loes gets a Steinfeldt double play, that scores the first Chicago run. Cubs 1 Dodgers 5

7th: The Dodgers best bench bat is 30 year old RH Frank Kellert - he pinch singles with one out, after the second out, Snider walks, but that's all.

8th: 28 year old RH Clem Labine won 13 games and he's the new Dodger pitcher; 1-2-3

8th: Carl Lundgren comes on for Chicago - he gives up a one out Hodges walk, that's it.

9th: Sheckard walks with two out - but it ends here for the Cubs.

Cubs 0

Dodgers 5

WP Loes

LP Overall

Loes goes 8 and the Dodgers pitching just whips the Cubs.  Robinson reached 7 times in the series with the big homer today. Snider 5 times, Hodges 7 times, Reese 5.  Let's say that Robinson and Newcombe, with apologies to Gilliam, are co-MVPs.

The '55 Dodgers move on - they'll face the winners of this one:

40. 1995 Cleveland Indians v. 89. 1923 New York Yankees

-Cleveland looking for a third team to push forward; the Yankees looking for their third team from the 1920s.  The Indians won the pennant; the Yankees won the whole thing.  

Yankees-Miller Huggins

DH Smith (30)     122   1.1

RF Ruth (28)       239    13.1 (I think this is the best year for anyone in the tournament)

LF Meusel (26)    117    1.2

CF Witt (27)        107    2.6

2B Ward (26)      101    3.9

1B Pipp (30)        95      1.6

C Schang (33)     84      .6

3B Dugan (26)    81      1.8

SS Scott (30)       54      0

P Hoyt (23)         131   3.3

Bench

SP2 Pennock (29)   126  4.8

SP3 Jones (30)        109  2.8

Pretty straightforward for the Yankees; 20 year old Gehrig was great, but in too limited action to be eligible here.  Yankees going R-L-R, the bullpen is not good.  

Indians-Mike Hargrove

CF Lofton (28)     110  3.4

3B Thome (24)     157  5.6

LF Belle (28)        177  8.2

RF Ramirez (23)  147  3.7

DH Murray (39)  129  2.7

1B Sorrento (29)  116  1.1

2B Baerga (26)     108  3.4

C Alomar (29)      107  1.7

SS Vizquel (28)    78     2.4

P Martinez (41)   152   4.3

Bench

SP2 Ogea (24)      154   2.3

SP3 Hershiser (36)  121  3.5

39 year old Eddie Murray will play first when the series moves to NY; a 43 year old Dave Winfield was not good in '95, but he is available to pinch hit.  Indians are seed favorites and have the WAR advantage at C-SS-3B-LF-CF-SP1-SP3

1st: Dennis Martinez is a 41 year old RH, 12-5, 3.08 -- he gives up a leadoff single to Elmer Smith; nothing else.

1st: 23 year old RH Waite Hoyt takes the ball for the Yankees - 17-9, 3.02 -- he gives up a first pitch triple to Kenny Lofton - we just saw Lofton with the 2002 Giants (he tripled) and here he is, 7 years prior, getting it going for the Tribe.  Jim Thome follows with a single and it's 1-0 -- Albert Belle walks, but Hoyt limits the damage.  Yankees 0 Indians 1

2nd: Wally Schang singles with two out, nothing else.  

2nd: Carlos Baerga singles, that's it.

3rd: Martinez gets the first two - but then Babe Ruth hits a titanic shot to right center that might still be traveling and it's tied.  Yankees 1 Indians 1

3rd: After an out, Thome and Belle single, Thome scores on a Manny Ramirez groundout, Yankees 1 Indians 2

4th: Wally Pipp gets hit with two out - Schang walks - but nothing else.

4th: After two out, Sandy Alomar singles, Omar Vizquel/Kenny Lofton walk to load them up - but Hoyt gets through it.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: After an out, Manny Ramirez/Eddie Murray single - after the second out, Baerga singles home the Indians third run.  Yankees 1 Indians 3

6th: Bob Meusel doubles and Whitey Witt walks - but the Yanks do not score.

6th: Omar Vizquel singles and steals second - after an out, Jim Thome doubles, that's his third hit and the Indians are stretching this lead. Yankees 1 Indians 4

7th: Everett Scott singles with two out, nothing else.

7th: Eddie Murray and Paul Sorrento single - after an out, Sandy Alomar singles home another Cleveland run. 23 year old RH George Pipgras is the new Yankee pitcher - he gives up a run scoring single to Vizquel and then Kenny Lofton hits his second triple of the game - it clears the bases and this one is over.  After the second out, Albert Belle singles home another run. Manny Ramirez then singles - 31 year old RH Carl Mays comes on and ends the inning.  Yankees 1 Indians 9

8th: Ruth singles - two out later, Aaron Ward hits a two run homer. Hargrove turns to a pitcher almost as old as Martinez, 38 year old lefty Bud Black comes on - he gives up a base hit to Pipp, then a base hit to Schang - and then Joe Dugan hits a 3 run homer -- the Yankees have scored 5 in the inning - it might be too little, too late, but this is a heck of a comeback. 31 year old RH Eric Plunk comes on to end the inning.  Yankees 6 Indians 9

8th: Sorrento and Baerga single - after two out, Vizquel singles to get a little insurance.  Yankees 6 Indians 10

9th: 1-2-3

Yankees 6

Indians 10

WP Martinez

LP Hoyt

21 hits for the Indians.  Lofton reached 3 times with 2 triples. Thome reached 3 times. So did Belle. 2 for Ramirez/Murray/Sorrento.  3 for Baerga, 2 for Alomar - and Vizquel reached 4 times.

For the Yankees, Ruth reached twice with a homer, Ward and Dugan both homered - and Schang reached three times.

We head to New York - Yankees need a win.

RF Ramirez (23)  147  3.7

LF Belle (28)        177  8.2

3B Thome (24)     157  5.6

1B Murray (39)  129  2.7

2B Baerga (26)     108  3.4

C Alomar (29)      107  1.7

CF Lofton (28)     110  3.4

SS Vizquel (28)    78     2.4

SP2 Ogea (24)      154   2.3

CF Witt (27)        107    2.6

RF Ruth (28)       239    13.1

LF Meusel (26)    117    1.2

2B Ward (26)      101    3.9

1B Pipp (30)        95      1.6

C Schang (33)     84      .6

3B Dugan (26)    81      1.8

SS Scott (30)       54      0

SP2 Pennock (29)   126  4.8

1st: 29 year old lefty Herb Pennock stands between the Indians and the next round; 19-6, 3.13 - he walks Jim Thome with two out - then throws a wild pitch that moves Thome up a bag - and then Eddie Murray, getting the start at first today, singles Thome home and Cleveland has scored in the first.  Indians 1 Yankees 0

1st: 24 year old RH Chad Ogea can pitch the Indians into the next round - 8-3, 3.05 -- 1-2-3

2nd: Sandy Alomar singles, nothing else.

2nd: Wally Pipp walks with one out, that's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Whitey Witt reaches on a 2 out error and Babe Ruth walks - Ogea gets through it.

4th: Baerga walks with two out, nothing else.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Lofton leads off with his third triple of the series - but Pennock strands him at third.

5th: Joe Dugan singles, nothing else.

6th: Albert Belle doubles, two out later Baerga gets hit - but nothing else.  

6th: 1-2-3 -- the Yankees have one hit.

7th: 1-2-3 - the Indians have just 4 hits.

7th: Ogea's throwing a one hitter but he got lifted in the top of the inning so now Cleveland goes to the pen - Eric Plunk gets the call here.  1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3 - great start by Pennock, but will it be enough?

8th: Everett Scott singles, and out later Witt walks - that brings up Ruth - this is the big spot - tying run in scoring position -- Plunk gets him.  22 year old RH Julian Tavarez has ten wins and he comes on now - and he ends the inning.  

9th: George Pipgras is the new Yankee pitcher; he gives up base hits to Murray and Baerga - can the Indians find some insurance -- they can't - two outs later Lofton walks, but Pipgras escapes and we head to the bottom of the 9th, still 1-0.

9th: You want to see a guy who had an all time great season?  Jose Mesa is the Cleveland closer, 46 saves and a 1.13 ERA.  1-2-3 and it done.

Indians 1

Yankees 0

WP Ogea

LP Pennock

2 hitter for the 4 Indian pitchers today.  Belle and Thome reached 4 times in the series. So did Murray, Baerga reached 5 times.  So did Lofton and he had 3 triples; that's enough, Lofton is the MVP and the Indians will take on the '55 Dodgers next.

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

Region 7

We started with 8 regions, 128 teams - we are 8 series away from cutting that to 64.  Tremendous.

8. 1910 Philadelphia Athletics v. 121. 2002 San Francisco Giants

-The Final number one seed is the 1910 A's; the '09 A's have already advanced and the '13 A's are still to come.  This is the only chance that Barry Bonds or the San Francisco Giants have to advance; the first time we've seen either.  I don't really root for any teams when I do these series - but I'll be rooting for the Giants to get one here.  The A's won the whole thing; the Giants sure looked like they were going to.

Giants-Dusty Baker

CF Lofton (35)      104  1.3  

LF Bonds (37)       268  11.9

2B Kent (34)          147  7.6

1B Minor (28)       108   .6

RF Sanders (34)   107   3

C Santiago (37)    103   2.8

3B Bell (29)          104   3.3

SS Martinez (29) 101   .8

P Rueter (31)       120   2.7

Bench

SS Aurilia  (30)   92     1.2

SP2 Schmidt (29)  112  3.9

SP3 Ortiz (28)    107    4.3

Couple of familiar starters out- Snow has a negative WAR and can't start and Aurilia sitting with the hopes of squeezing out some more offense.  Rich might see time later in the series.  Giants pitching is L-R-R.

Athletics-Connie Mack

CF Oldring (26)   141  4

RF Murphy (33)  142  4.6

2B Collins (23)    150   9.9

LF Lord (26)       135   2.6

3B Baker (24)     126    4.5

SS Barry (23)     111     3.3

C Thomas (29)   107    1.7

1B Davis (36)     101    1.8

P Coombs (27)    182     8.8

Bench

C Lapp (27)       87       1.3

SP2 Bender (26)  150   5.3

SP3 Morgan (31)  153  2.7

Lapp probably plays against RH, although he'd give up some bat.  Eddie Plank had a strong year but is clearly the 4th starter.  All RH starters for Mack.  A's are seed favorites and they have the WAR advantage at 1B-2B-SS-3B-CF-RF-SP1-SP2

1st: 27 year old RH Jack Coombs takes the mound for the heavily favored A's, 31-9, 1.30 -- he gives up a Barry Bonds single with one out, nothing else.

1st: Kirk Rueter is the game 1 starter for Dusty Baker; he gives up singles on his first 3 pitches -- Rube Oldring/Danny Murphy/Eddie Collins and it's 1-0.  Bris Lord then singles to load the bases, still nobody out -- but Rueter just guts his way through it to limit the damage.  Giants 0 A's 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Harry Davis singles with one out, after the second out, Oldring singles - the A's have 6 hits but still just the one run.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Home Run Baker hits a two out single, but that's all.  

4th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Combs

4th: Ira Thomas singles.  8 hits for the A's, still, just the one run.  

5th: David Bell walks with two out, but that's all - the Giants only have one hit.

5th: After an out, Danny Murphy doubles and Eddie Collins singles him home.  Lord and Baker then walk to load the bases -- Jack Barry then singles and now it's 4-0.  That's the end of Woody's day, 29 year old RH Jay Witasick had a 2.37 ERA and he ends the threat.  Giants 0 A's 4

6th: Bonds walks with two out, nothing else.  

6th: Harry Davis reaches on an error, moves to second on an out and then scores on an Oldring single - this is sort of the series we expected.  Giants 0 A's 5

7th: Damon Minor walks, but the Giants still don't have a hit since the first.

7th: Eddie Collins singles, nothing else.  

8th: Kenny Lofton singles with two outs, that's it.

8th: 23 year old RH Kurt Ainsworth is next for the Giants; he gives up a two out single to Coombs, nothing else.

9th: After an out, Minor walks, then Reggie Sanders singles and Benito Santiago walks -- the Giants have loaded the bases.  They score on the second out, 25 year old RH Jimmy Dygert now comes on - and he ends the game.

Giants 1

A's 5

WP Coombs

LP Rueter

Three hits for the Giants, they just never get in this one.  Oldring had 3 hits, Murphy 2, Collins had 3, Lord and Baker each reached twice.

Bonds and Minor each reached twice for San Francisco.

2B Collins (23)    150   9.9

3B Baker (24)     126    4.5

CF Oldring (26)   141  4

RF Murphy (33)  142  4.6

LF Lord (26)       135   2.6

SS Barry (23)     111     3.3

1B Davis (36)     101    1.8

C Lapp (27)       87       1.3

SP2 Bender (26)  150   5.3

CF Lofton (35)      104  1.3  

LF Bonds (37)       268  11.9

2B Kent (34)          147  7.6

1B Minor (28)       108   .6

RF Sanders (34)   107   3

C Santiago (37)    103   2.8

3B Bell (29)          104   3.3

SS Aurilia  (30)   92     1.2

SP2 Schmidt (29)  112  3.9

1st: 29 year old RH Jason Schmidt gets the call in what might be the only tournament game played in San Francisco. 13-8. 3.45. He gives up a leadoff single to Collins, but nothing else.

1st: 26 year old RH Chief Bender is his opposite number, 23-5, 1.58 -- 1-2-3.  Giants need to find some hits in this one.

2nd: Murphy singles, but nothing results.

2nd: Benito Santiago hits a two out double, the Giants first extra base hit of the series; but that's all.

3rd: Jack Lapp gets the start behind the plate today against a RH, he walks with one out, moves to second on a second out, and then scores the game's first run on another Collins single. A's 1 Giants 0

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Oldring singles with one out, that's it.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Barry singles with one out, a second out later Davis singles - but Schmidt again escapes.  

5th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Bender.  The Giants with just one hit.  They have not hit the ball at all in the series.  

6th: Collins with another base hit, this time with one out, but again, that's all.

6th: Kenny Lofton makes some noise with a two out shot into Triples Alley - he's easily into third -- and can the Giants find a way to get him across? Mack decides not to mess around with Bonds - he's intentionally walked in this spot - and then Bender hits Kent.  Bases loaded.  2 out.  But Bender strikes out Damon Minor and we head to the 7th.

7th: Oldring doubles and an out later Lord is aboard on an error - Schmidt gets the second out, but then four consecutive singles from Davis/Lapp/Bender/Collins plate four runs and probably end this series.  A's 5 Giants 0

7th: 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3

8th: Pedro Feliz, hitting for Schmidt, walks with one out, Lofton/Bonds follow with singles to load the bases for Kent, who has yet to get a hit in the series - that continues, nothing results.

9th: Kurt Ainsworth is the next Giants pitcher; 1-2-3

9th: And almost certainly we see the end for the Giants; 1-2-3

A's 5

Giants 0

WP Bender

LP Schmidt

Collins had a great series, 7 hits, but the two starting pitchers just cruised and it's Coombs/Bender who share the MVP.  

The 1910 A's are the first team to advance in Region  8-- 7 spots remain.

57. 1931 St Louis Cardinals v. 72. 1951 New York Yankees

-Our last look at St Louis; the 50s Yankees already have several teams moving forward.

Yankees-Casey Stengel

2B McDougald (23)    142    4.3

LF Jensen (24)            137    1.2

CF DiMaggio (36)      116     2.5

RF Bauer (28)             127    2.3

C Berra (26)                130    5.5

1B Collins (28)           126     1.4

3B Brown (26)            108     1.3

SS Rizzuto (33)          92       3.1

P Lopat (33)               132     5.1

Bench
LF Woodling (28)      129     3.1

RF Mantle (19)          117     1.1

1B Mize (38)              102      1.1

SP2 Reynolds (34)     126      4

SP3 Raschi (32)         117      4.4

Woodling/Mantle expected to play against RH pitchers; Mize will only see action if Collins doesn't hit. Yankees going L-R-R.

Cardinals-Gabby Street

CF Martin (27)      114     2.3  

LF Hafey (28)       154      4

1B Bottomley (31)  145    3

RF Watkins (31)   112      1.9

2B Frisch (33)      101      3.3

SS Gelbert (25)    97        3.1

3B Adams (36)    92        1.6

C Wilson (30)     77         1.6

P Hallahan (28)   121      3.7

Bench

3B High (33)       91        .6

C Mancuso (25)   84       .7

SP2 Derringer (24)  119   3.1

SP3 Johnson (30)     133   3.7

Platoon at third; Cards looking for a hot bat behind the plate.  Like the Yanks, Cards are L-R-R. Cards are seed favorites and have WAR advantage at 1B-SS(tie)-3B(when Adams plays)-LF-RF(when Mantle plays)

1st: The Cards only lefty starter, Bill Hallahan, opens the series - 19-9, 3.29; Jackie Jensen is getting likely his only start of the series - he singles with one out and then Joe DiMaggio walks - Hank Bauer singles to score Jensen - Yogi Berra doubles, it scores both men - Joe Collins reaches on an error and then Bobby Brown singles to make it 4-0. Phil Rizzuto hits a sac fly - that'll be it; the Yankees bat around in the first inning, Yankees 5 Cardinals 0

1st: 33 year old Eddie Lopat is the Yanks only lefty starter and he has the huge game one lead - he walks Chick Hafey with one out and then Jim Bottomley hits a moon shot to dead center to put the Cards on the board.  Yankees 5 Cardinals 2

2nd: Jensen singles with one out; that's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: After an out, Joe Collins walks, Bobby Brown singles to put men on the corners - after the second out, Lopat helps himself with a run scoring single, Yankees 6 Cardinals 2

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Jim Bottomley singles and George Watkins hits a laser shot over the right field wall - we've got a live one here at Sportsmans Park - Yankees 6 Cardinals 4

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Phil Rizzuto singles, after an out, Gil McDougald walks and after the second out, DiMaggio walks to load the bases - but Hallahan escapes.

6th: 1-2-3. 

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Charlie Gelbert singles with one out, nothing else.

8th: 32 year old RH Jim Lindsey comes on for the Cards - can he keep it close - he gives up a two out McDougald double but nothing else.

8th: 1-2-3; after those two homers, Lopat's really settled in.  

9th: 26 year old RH Allyn Stout is next; DiMaggio walks but thats all.

9th: 1-2-3

Yankees 6

Cardinals 4

WP Lopat

LP Hallahan

4 hit complete game for Lopat - two of those hits were really loud, but it's enough for the Yankees to take game one.  McDougald, Brown and Jensen reached twice, DiMaggio three times. 

For the Cards, Bottomley homered with two hits, Watkins also homered.  

We head to Yankee Stadium - New York can clinch the series.

2B Frisch (33)      101      3.3

LF Hafey (28)       154      4

1B Bottomley (31)  145    3

RF Watkins (31)   112      1.9

CF Martin (27)      114     2.3  

SS Gelbert (25)    97        3.1

3B High (33)       91        .6

C Mancuso (25)   84       .7

SP2 Derringer (24)  119   3.1

LF Woodling (28)      129     3.1  

C Berra (26)                130    5.5

1B Collins (28)           126     1.4

2B McDougald (23)    142    4.3

RF Mantle (19)          117     1.1

CF DiMaggio (36)      116     2.5

3B Brown (26)            108     1.3

SS Rizzuto (33)          92       3.1

SP2 Reynolds (34)     126      4

1st: 34 year old RH Allie Reynolds can pitch the Yankees into the next round - 17-8, 3.05 -- 1-2-3

1st: 24 year old RH Paul Derringer was 18-8, 3.36, can he keep the Cards alive another day - he walks Gene Woodling, that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Gus Mancuso got the start behind the plate for the Cards - he walks with one out, nothing else.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Chick Hafey gets the game's first hit; that's all.

4th: Woodling and Berra single for New York's first hits - but the score doesn't move.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3     -- Reynolds and Derringer dueling in the Bronx.

6th: Frankie Frisch singles with one out, but nothing.

6th: Gene Woodling singles with two out - but really, just nothing for either team today.

7th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3

8th: Andy High is the Cards third baseman today and he walks, that's all.

8th: Derringer gave up just 3 hits, but he got taken down for a pinch hitter and the new Cardinal arm is Jim Lindsey, after an out, he walks Brown and Rizzuto - he gets the second out, but the lead runner moves to third base - and then scores on a Mancuso passed ball - Bobby Brown dashes home on a passed ball, just sliding in under the tag - a daring baserunning move to give the Yanks the game's first run.  Allyn Stout enters and Woodling laces a single to score the second run -- Yankees 2 Cardinals 0

9th: The Yankees best reliever is a 28 year old lefty, Bob Kuzava, with a 2.40 ERA - he needs three outs; and he gets them.

Yankees 2

Cardinals 0

WP Reynolds

LP Derringer

Only 6 hits in this game; the Cards just got 2 of them - Woodling reached 4 times for New York, drove in that second run - we're going to say that Allie Reynolds is the MVP for this series - the Yankees will meet the 1910 A's in the next round.

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

5-6 is here.

How would you feel about finishing up Region 7?

23. 1936 New York Yankees v. 106. 1995 Atlanta Braves

-The '37 Yankees have moved forward; the '38 team is still to come.  The '99 Braves already advanced in this region.  Both of these teams won the World Series

Atlanta Braves-Bobby Cox

RF Justice (29)      118   3.3

LF Klesko (24)      158   1.9

1B McGriff (31)    119   1.5

3B Jones (23)         108   2.3

C Lopez (24)          117   2.5 

2B Lemke (29)       78     1.4

CF Grissom (28)    80    2

SS Blauser (29)      73

P Maddux (29)      260   9.7

Bench
SP2 Glavine (29)    137  5.2

SP3 Smoltz (28)     133   4.9

Cox just rolls this 8 out each game - Big 3 from the Braves staff ready to go.

New York Yankees-Joe McCarthy

RF Selkirk (28)   132   3.8

C Dickey (29)      158   5.4

1B Gehrig (33)    190   8.4

3B Rolfe (27)       120   4.5

CF DiMaggio (21)  128  4.7

2B Lazzeri (32)   109    2.4

SS Crosetti (25)  105    4.2

LF Powell (27)    97      1.1

P Ruffing (31)     120    4.8

Bench

SP2 Pearson (27) 125   3.9

SP3 Gomez (27)  106    1.4

-McCarthy just gonna send this group out to the diamond every day.  Yanks have seed advantage; they have WAR advantage at C-1B-2B-SS-3B-CF-RF - so almost everywhere except all the pitching.  

1st: 31 year old RH Red Ruffing takes the ball for the Yankees; 20-12, 3.85 -- he walks David Justice, but then sets down the next 3.

1st: 29 year old RH Greg Maddux could not have had a better season - 19-2, 1.63 -- he's ferocious; how will he fare against Gehrig and DiMaggio?  Bill Dickey hits a one out double and then Lou Gehrig singles - Red Rolfe singles and it's Braves 0 Yankees 1

2nd: Mark Lemke doubles with one out and Marquis Grissom singles to put men on the corners - Ruffing works through it.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Ryan Klesko walks with one out and Fred McGriff singles - Braves in business again - after the second out, Javy Lopez rips a 3 run homer and the Braves gave given Maddux a lead.  Lemke follows with a triple - but this inning ends Braves 3 Yankees 1

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, that's 11 straight for Maddux.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3, 14 straight

6th: Lopez doubles - and after an out, Grissom singles him home.  Braves 4 Yankees 1

6th: 1-2-3, 17 straight

7th: New York turns to 33 year old RH Pat Malone, he's got a dozen wins, David Justice doubles but that's it.

7th: Gehrig singles to break the streak - an out later DiMaggio singles and the Yankees have the tying run coming to the plate - but Maddux keeps them off the board.

8th: 1-2-3

8th: Ben Chapman pinch singles with one out - and then George Selkirk hits a two run homer to put the Yankees back in this one.  Bill Dickey singles and after the second out, so does Red Rolfe - that puts the tying run at third base with 2 out -- but Maddux gets DiMaggio.  Braves 4 Yankees 3

9th: 29 year old RH Jumbo Brown is next; after two out Justice doubles again - Klesko walks but the inning ends here. 

9th: 25 year old RH Mark Wohlers is Atlanta's closer, 25 saves and a 2.09 ERA - Tony Lazzeri singles to open - Wohlers then throws a wild pitch and the tying run is in scoring position.  Frankie Crosetti doubles down the line - that ties the score and still there is nobody out.  After an out, Roy Johnson pinch walks - but that's all.  We're going extras.  Braves 4 Yankees 4

10th: 37 year old lefty Ted Kleinhans comes on for New York - he gives up a Chipper Jones double then walks Lopez - Lemke then walks and the Braves have them loades with nobody out   - Grissom walks and it's 5-4.  New York brings in 27 year old RH Johnny Murphy - and he doesn't allow another run.  Braves 5 Yankees 4

10th: 28 year old RH Greg McMichael now tries to end this thing - he gets the first out, but then Gehrig walks - Red Rolfe then doubles off the wall -- again - again the Yankees have come back to tie this game up.  37 year old RH Steve Bedrosian enters - he gets the second out - but then Tony Lazzeri singles to RF - Justice throws home --- Rolfe slides in safely and the Yankees have pulled this one up.  Jubilation in the Bronx - New York's taken game 1.

Braves 5

Yankees 6

WP Murphy

LP McMichael

For New York - Selkirk homered; Dickey had two hits, Gehrig and Rolfe each reached 3 times, Lazzeri had two hits and drove in the winning run, 

For Atlanta, Justice reached 3 times with 2 doubles - Klesko reached twice, Javy homered/doubled, had 3 hits/3 RBI, Lemke tripled/doubled had 3 hits, Grissom reached 3 times.

We go to Atlanta - Braves need a win to stay alive.

2B Lazzeri (32)   109    2.4 

CF DiMaggio (21)  128  4.7

1B Gehrig (33)    190   8.4

C Dickey (29)      158   5.4

RF Selkirk (28)   132   3.8

3B Rolfe (27)       120   4.5

SS Crosetti (25)  105    4.2

LF Powell (27)    97      1.1

SP2 Pearson (27) 125   3.9

RF Justice (29)      118   3.3

LF Klesko (24)      158   1.9

1B McGriff (31)    119   1.5

3B Jones (23)         108   2.3

C Lopez (24)          117   2.5 

2B Lemke (29)       78     1.4

CF Grissom (28)    80    2

SS Blauser (29)      73

SP2 Glavine (29)    137  5.2

1st: 29 year old lefty Tom Glavine is up against it today; Braves a game away from elimination. 16-7, 3.08 -- 1-2-3

1st: 27 year old RH Monte Pearson is 19-7, 3.71 -- he gives up a two out single to Fred McGriff, that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Lemke walked with one out, that's it.  

3rd: 1-2-3 -- Glavine is dealing.

3rd: Tom Glavine hits Pearson's first pitch over the wall in center - Chicks Dig the Long Ball.  Yankees 0 Braves 1

4th: Gehrig walks with two out - nothing else.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Red Rolfe singles with one out - Glavine then hits Frankie Crosetti -- nothing else.

5th: Marquis Grissom walks, two outs later he's standing at second when David Justice singles him home. Yankees 0 Braves 2

6th: Gehrig singles with 2 out - and Glavine leaves him there.

6th: 1-2-3 -- Pearson really throwing a good game, but is it enough?

7th: George Selkirk doubles and then Red Rolfe hits a game tying 2 run home run.  Just like that it's a new game - Greg McMichael enters and he gets through it.  Yankees 2 Braves 2

7th: Lemke singles, after an out, Blauser walks, Cox turns to Mike Mordecai to hit - he singles and the Braves are up again.  Justice then grounds out to score another run. Pat Malone comes on for New York, gives up a Klesko walk - and then a run scoring single to McGriff.  Big inning for Atlanta, Yankees 2 Braves 5

8th: Steve Bedrosian gave up the game winner in game one, he's back, giving up a Lazzeri single and then an out later, a Gehrig double.  Cox goes back to the pen - 22 year old RH Jason Schmidt enters, he gives up a Bill Dickey base hit and now it's 5-3. Selkirk walks to load the bases - and then Rolfe comes through again, doubling home two runs - the Yankees keep coming back it's 5-5. 24 year old RH Brad Clontz is the next Braves pitcher - and he gives up a Crosetti double - that's going to score 2 more runs -- just an enormous inning for the Yankees.  Clontz gets the second out -- but then gives up a run scoring pinch single to Myril Hoag -- will the Yankees hitting beat the Braves pitching?  I think we've found out.  Yankees 8 Braves 5

8th: Jumbo Brown is the Yankee pitcher - he gives up a Lopez walk, but nothing else.

9th: After an out, Gehrig/Dickey single, 27 year old lefty Pedro Borbon now enters - he gives up a Selkirk walk -- Red Rolfe...Red Rolfe then hits a bases clearing double; this series is over.  Powell singles after the second out, the Yankees are moving on.  Yankees 11 Braves 5

9th: Blauser walks and McCarthy goes to his pen for Ted Kleinhans - and he ends the game.

Yankees 11

Braves 5

WP Malone

LP Schmidt

Gehrig reached 7 times in the series.  Dickey four times, Selkirk 4 times with a homer, but Red Rolfe reached 7 times - and in this one homered, doubled twice and had a tournament record 7 RBI.  He's the obvious MVP.

One Region 7 Spot Remains -

42. 1935 Detroit Tigers v. 87. 1983 Baltimore Orioles

-Two 20th century Tigers teams have moved on; here's their last team; 4 Orioles teams are headed forward and here's their last club.  Both of these teams won the whole thing.

Orioles-Joe Altobelli

LF Lowenstein (36)   138   2.5

RF Dwyer (33)           145   1.4

1B Murray (27)         156    6.5

SS Ripken (22)           144   8.5

C  Nolan (32)             113    .7

CF Bumbry (36)        91     .6

2B Sakata (29)           98     .6

3B Cruz (27)              55     -.3

P Boddicker (25)      143     4.4

Bench

DH Singleton (36)    131     2.7

C Dempsey (33)       77       1.9

SP2 McGregor (29)   124   3.8

SP3 Flanagan (31)   120     1.6

Singleton will get the game 2 start when the series moves to Baltimore - all the Tigers starters are RH, so guys like Disco Dan Ford and Gary Roenicke will not see starts.  Baltimore doesn't have a single 3B option with positive WAR (including Rich Dauer, the normal starting 2B) that makes Cruz the first negative WAR player in the tournament.  Altobelli's going with Nolan looking for a little more offense, but Dempsey awaits. Orioles going R-L-L in the rotation.

Tigers-Mickey Cochrane

2B Gehringer (32)   138   6.1  

C Cochrane (32)      138   4.3

1B Greenberg (24)  170    6.6

RF Fox (26)             133    3.2

LF Goslin (34)        102     1.8

SS Rogell (30)         98       3.9

CF White (26)        83        .4

3B Owen (29)         77       -.5

P Bridges (28)        118     3.8

Bench

CF Walker (27)     104      .6

DH Hayworth (31)  97     .9

SP2 Rowe (25)      112      4.1

SP3 Auker (24)     108      2.8

Current plan is a platoon in CF with Hayworth getting the game 2 DH spot - those 3 guys really in play for 2 spots.  Detroit, like Baltimore (entirely coincidental) does not have a third baseman with a positive WAR.  It's happened twice in the entire tournament - right now, for these two teams, at same position.  The two worst players in this tournament are the two third basemen for these teams.  Tigers are seed faves; they have WAR advantage at C-1B-2B-RF-SP2

1st: 28 year old RH Tommy Bridges takes the ball for the Tigers; 21-10, 3.51 -- he gives up a one out double to Jim Dwyer, who will get the DH start in each game for the O's but that's all.

1st: Baltimore sends 25 year old Mike Boddicker to the hill; 16-8, 2.77 -- he gives up a first pitch homer to Charlie Gehringer - Tigers jump on top, Orioles 0 Tigers 1

2nd: Al Bumbry singles with one out, then Lenn Sakata walks - Todd Cruz, as mentioned, was the worst position player in the entire tournament right up until the Tigers put Marv Owen in their lineup -- singles to tie the game.  Orioles 1 Tigers 1

2nd: Goose Goslin singles, that's all.

3rd: Eddie Murray singles with one out and then Cal Ripken laces a two run homer to left and the Orioles are on top. Orioles 3 Tigers 1

3rd: Gehringer doubles with two out and then Mickey Cochrane singles him home.  The bats are out here in Detroit - Hank Greenberg then singles and so does Pete Fox, tying the score.  Orioles 3 Tigers 3

4th: Sakata singles to open the inning, that's all.

4th: Marv Owen singles with two out, but it's still tied.

5th: Ripken hits a two out single, that's it.

5th: 1-2-3, first perfect inning of the game.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Dwyer draws a two out walk, that's all.

7th: Bridges walks with two out, that's it - Boddicker and Bridges have really tightened this up since the 3rd.

8th: Joe Nolan got the start at catcher today, Baltimore looking for a little extra bat - he singles with one out and then Bumbry walks, there's a man in scoring position for the first time in 5 innings, but it ends here.

8th: 28 year old RH Sammy Stewart is the next Orioles pitcher - he gives up a Cochrane single and an out later he's standing at third with a Pete Fox single and then scores the go ahead run on a Goslin groundout. 30 year old RH Tim Stoddard had a rough year - ERA over 6 - but he gets the ball now and gives up a run scoring single to Jo Jo White.  Orioles 3 Tigers 5

9th: Gary Roenicke pinch singles to open the inning - and then John Lowenstein follows with a base hit -- Orioles have some big sticks coming up, two on and nobody out.  31 year old lefty Chief Hogsett enters to put out the fire - he gives up a Dwyer double - that scores a run and now the Orioles are really in business.  Eddie Murray singles - it scores both runs -- Baltimore is now up 6-5, huge 9th inning comeback.  34 year old RH Vic Sorrell is the third Tiger pitcher of the inning, he gets an out, then walks Nolan - then gets out of the inning.  But it's too late to win this one - Orioles 6 Tigers 5

9th: Baltimore's closer is 33 year old lefty Tippy Martinez -- the worst position player in the entire tournament is Marv Owen -- and he hits Martinez's first pitch over the wall in left to tie the score.  After two out, Cochrane singles, but we head to extras Orioles 6 Tigers 6

10th: 26 year old lefty Clyde Hatter's ERA was over 7.50, but he's tasked with getting through the 10th, he gets the first two - but then John Lowenstein homers to left - this has just been a wild, wild finish to this ballgame.  24 year old lefty Joe Sullivan now enters - gives up a Dwyer walk, but thats all. Orioles 7 Tigers 6

10th: 26 year old RH Allan Ramirez gets the ball - can he close this out? With one out, Goslin doubles - after the second out (which moves Goslin over) White walks -- two out, tying run on third- winning run on first -- and Ramirez gets Owen to fly out and its done.

Orioles 7

Tigers 6

WP Martinez

LP Hatter

Helluva game.  2 hits for Lowenstein including the game winning homer. Dwyer reached 4 times with 2 doubles. Murray and Ripken both had two hits and Ripken homered. Nolan/Bumbry/Sakata all reached twice.

Gehringer homered/doubled, Cochrane had 3 hits, Fox and Goslin each had two hits, White and Owen each reached twice, Owen hit that big home run - 

RF Fox (26)             133    3.2

1B Greenberg (24)  170    6.6

2B Gehringer (32)   138   6.1  

C Cochrane (32)      138   4.3

CF Walker (27)     104      .6

SS Rogell (30)         98       3.9

DH Hayworth (31)  97     .9

LF Goslin (34)        102     1.8

3B Owen (29)         77       -.5

SP2 Rowe (25)      112      4.1

LF Lowenstein (36)   138   2.5

RF Dwyer (33)           145   1.4

1B Murray (27)         156    6.5

DH Singleton (36)    131     2.7

SS Ripken (22)           144   8.5

CF Bumbry (36)        91     .6

2B Sakata (29)           98     .6

C Dempsey (33)       77       1.9

3B Cruz (27)              55     -.3

SP2 McGregor (29)   124   3.8

1st: 29 year old lefty Scotty McGregor looks to pitch the Orioles into the next round, 18-7, 3.18, after two out, Charlie Gehringer singles and then Mickey Cochrane hits a two run homer and just as they did in game one, a first inning homer gives the Tigers a lead. Tigers 2 Orioles 0

1st: 25 year old Schoolboy Rowe is staked to that lead; 19-13, 3.69 - he walks John Lowenstein but thats it.  

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Lenn Sakata singles to open the inning and then steals second - Altobelli put his starting catcher, Rick Dempsey, back in the lineup today and he's rewarded with a double that scores the run. Two outs follow and then Jim Dwyer walks, and Eddie Murray ties the game with a single to right center. Tigers 2 Orioles 2

4th: Gehringer walks and Cochrane singles to put them on the corners -- Gee Walker's in the lineup today against the lefty and he singles to put Detroit back in front. Ray Hayworth is the Tiger DH, he singles -- Jim Dwyer is up and throwing as Cochrane nears the plate- he one hops to Dempsey, who braces for the massive collision with the Tiger Hall of Famer -- Dempsey holds on; maybe there is a reason he's the starting catcher.  Tigers 3 Orioles 2

4th: Ripken singles, that's all.

5th: Pete Fox singles with one out, and after the second out, Gehringer singles and then Cochrane walks to load them up- but McGregor holds the Tigers here.

5th: Dempsey singles - don't bench Rick Dempsey - and then Todd Cruz doubles; the bottom of the Oriole order has given them men on second and third, and then John Freaking Lowenstein, who won game 1 -- hits a three run bomb.  That ends Rowe's day, the RH Joe Sullivan enters, he gets two, then gives up a Ken Singleton single -- it ends there but that's a lot. Tigers 3 Orioles 5

6th: Hayworth singles with one out - then the Tigers load the bases again with a Goslin single and an Owen walk -- but McGregor gets out of it - this Memorial Stadium crowd roars its approval, they are 9 outs from moving on to face the '36 Yankees.

6th: Al Bumbry walks - steals second - and scores on a Sakata single - Chief Hogsett is the third Tiger pitcher, he gives up Dempsey's third hit - then walks Cruz - Lowenstein grounds out, but that's another RBI - Dwyer grounds out - and that's the third Baltimore run of the frame. Clyde Hatter is the 4th Tiger pitcher; he ends the inning but it sure looks like we've wrapped up Region 7. Tigers 3 Orioles 8

7th: Sammy Stewart is next for Baltimore - he gets an out, but then Gehringer singles/Cochrane walks, that's all though and the Orioles are 6 outs away.

7th: After out out - Ripken singles, Bumbry singles, Sakata walks -- Vic Sorrell is now the 5th Tiger pitcher - he gives up a Dempsey sac fly that's 9 runs and its done. You know who else had a good series - Todd Cruz with his 55 OPS+ - he singles to score the 10th run, Lowenstein is on his way to the MVP and he singles for the 11th. Dwyer walks - it ends here, Tigers 3 Orioles 11

8th: Hayworth walks, after an out, Owen reached by error and Fox singles to load the bases. But Stewart doesn't allow a run - all over here in Baltimore.

8th: Tommy Bridges was the game one starter - he comes back out here - gives up a Singleton walk but that's it.

9th: Cochrane singles, that ends Stewart's day, 26 year old Don Welchel is here to close it down, and he does.

Tigers 3

Orioles 11

WP McGregor

LP Rowe

Lowenstein had 5 RBI today, homered again - won that first game with a homer - he's the MVP.

The next time we're in Region 7:

122. 1999 Braves v. 71. 2009 Yankees

26. 2019 Astros v. 90. 1949 Red Sox

10. 1907 Cubs 54. 1954 Yankees

23. 1936 Yankees v. 87. 1983 Orioles

7 down.  1 to go.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Seven, Series 5-6

Series 3-4

10. 1907 Chicago Cubs v. 119. 2018  Los Angeles Dodgers

-the 2017 Dodgers have advanced already and the 2019 Dodgers are still to come.  The Cubs won the whole thing; the Dodgers won the pennant.

Dodgers-Dave Roberts

2B Muncy (27)     161   4.8

3B Turner (33)     151   5.1

LF Pederson (26)  125  2.7

1B Bellinger (22)  120   3.8

C Grandal (29)     121   4.7

SS Machado (25)  122   2.5

RF Puig (27)         120   2

CF Taylor (27)     110    3.1

P Kershaw (30)   142    4.5

Bench

LF Kemp (33)     121     2

CF Hernandez (26)  117   2.8

SP2 Buehler (23)  148       3.8

SP3 Stripling (28)  128     2.9

The Dodgers have so many hitters; Corey Seager won't see the field; Kiki Hernandez will only play if Taylor doesn't hit - and Kemp/Pederson is a straight platoon.  Kershaw is the only LH the Dodgers will throw.

Cubs-Frank Chance

1B Chance (30)   131  5.2

C Kling (31)        122  4

3B Steinfeldt (31)  101  4.2

RF Schulte (24)   121    2.2

LF Sheckard (28)  113  2.2

CF Slagle (33)     100     1.3

2B Hofman (24)  95       2.8

SS Tinker (26)    65       2.4

P Lundgren (27)  211    3.9

Bench

2B Evers (25)  90           5

SP2 Pfiester (29)  214    1.8

SP3 Brown (30)   178     4.9

This could be Tinker's only start, Evers will play second the rest of the way with Hofman, most likely, sliding to short.  Cubs have only 8 pitchers.  Cubs have seed advantage, hey gave WAR advantage at 1B-2B(when Evers plays)SS(when Hofman slides to SS)-RF-SP3

  

1st: 27 year old RH Carl Lundgren gets the ball for the Cubs in Game 1; 18-7, 1.17; after the first out Justin Turner singles after the second out, Cody Bellinger singles - Yasmani Grandal then walks to load the bases but Lundgren escapes.  

1st: 30 year old lefty Clayton Kershaw was 9-5, 2.73 - he gives up a Frank Chance single, and then after the first out Harry Steinfeldt launches a bomb into the West Side Ground bleachers and it's 2-0 right off the jump. Frank Schulte then singles, the inning ends Dodgers 0 Cubs 2

2nd: Yasiel Puig singles, two outs later Max Muncy singles, it ends there.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Johnny Kling singles with one out, nothing else.

4th: Chris Taylor walks with 2 out, nothing else.

4th: Jimmy Sheckard singles, an out later Jimmy Slagle singles, Joe Tinker singles - then Lundgren and Chance single back to back to score 2 more runs. Dodgers 0 Cubs 4

5th: Max Muncy walks - that's it.

5th: Steinfeldt singles, that's all.

6th: Machado walks after two out and then Puig singles again - but nothing results.  

6th: Solly Hofman singles with one out, that's it.

7th: Chick Fraser is a 33 year old RH and he comes on; great 6 innings for Lundgren and he turns the game over - he gives up a base hit to Kershaw, who Roberts leaves in the game - after an out, Turner singles, and then Joc Pederson singles and the Dodgers have loaded the bases.  Still only one out - and Fraser gets out of it.  Sure looks like the Cubs are taking this one.

7th: Chance walks and an out later Steinfeldt singles - but nothing else.

8th: Grandal and Machado single - and then Puig reaches by error - and now the Dodgers again have loaded the bases and this time there is nobody out.  Taylor singles - scoring Grandal.  33 year old Matt Kemp will hit for Kershaw - and Fraser walks him and now it's 4-2 and still - still nobody out.  33 year old right hander Jack Taylor enters -- and he doesn't give up another run - that might have saved this game for Chicago.  Dodgers 2 Cubs 4

8th: 32 year old right hander Josh Fields has a 2.20 ERA and he's the new Dodger pitcher, 1-2-3.

9th: Joc Pederson has an epic at bat - 14 pitches - and eventually he walks.  Tying run to the plate.  Bellinger singles.  Pederson goes all the way to third.  Tying run at first.  Nobody out - Grandal grounds out - but it scores a run - it's 4-3, Taylor gets Machado.  2 outs.  And then he gets Puig to end the game.

Dodgers 3

Cubs 4

WP Lundgren

LP Kershaw

Spirited comeback just falls short. 

For the Cubs - Chance reached 3 times, so did Kling and Steinfeldt had that big home run.

For LA-everyone in the lineup reached twice.  How about that?

We go to Dodger Stadium, can LA keep the series alive?

LF Sheckard (28)  113  2.2

1B Chance (30)   131  5.2

RF Schulte (24)   121    2.2

CF Slagle (33)     100     1.3

C Kling (31)        122  4

2B Evers (25)  90           5

3B Steinfeldt (31)  101  4.2

SS Hofman (24)  95       2.8

SP2 Pfiester (29)  214    1.8

3B Turner (33)     151   5.1

2B Muncy (27)     161   4.8

SS Machado (25)  122   2.5

RF Puig (27)         120   2

LF Kemp (33)     121     2

C Grandal (29)     121   4.7

CF Hernandez (26)  117   2.8

1B Bellinger (22)  120   3.8

SP2 Buehler (23)  148       3.8

1st: 23 year old RH Walker Buehler needs to come up big or the Dodgers go home; 8-5, 2.62 -- he gives up a double to Jimmy Sheckard, and after an out, a Frank Schulte base hit scores him.. Cubs bust out on top - Cubs 1 Dodgers 0

1st: 29 year old lefty Jack Pfiester takes that lead to the hill, 14-9, 1.15 -- he gives up a leadoff single to Justin Turner, nothing else.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Sheckard walks with one out, that's all.

3rd: Turner walks with two out, that's all.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3 -- neither team has a hit since the first

5th: Johnny Evers is in the lineup the rest of the series and he singles, but that's all.

5th: Yasmani Grandal singles. Only LAs second hit.  But that's it and they are getting anxious at Dodgers Stadium.

6th: After an out, Sheckard hits his second double - and after the second out - Schulte once again singles him home.  Cubs 2 Dodgers 0    

6th: 1-2-3 -- oh, man.  Now the anxiety really picks up here in LA

7th: Jimmy Slagle singles, two outs later Johnny Evers doubles -- but Buehler keeps the Cubs from adding to their lead.

7th: 1-2-3 -- Pfiester is two hitting the Dodgers.

8th: Josh Fields enters for LA -- he gives up a Solly Hofman single, two outs later Hofman's standing at third from which he scores on a Frank Chance base hit - and that might end this series. Cubs 3 Dodgers 0

8th: Chick Fraser enters for the Cubs, six outs from moving forward - he gets one, but then gives up a Bellinger single - but nothing else.  

9th: Pedro Baez is a 30 year old RH and he enters - and loads the bases.  Schulte walks, Slagle singles, Kling walks. After an out, the Cubs score on a Steinfeldt grounder, then again on a Hofman base hit, 27 year old RH Dylan Floro comes on to end the inning.  Sure looks like it's too late.  Cubs 5 Dodgers 0

9th: 1-2-3

Cubs 5

Dodgers 0

WP Pfiester

LP Buehler

Cubs pitching just shut down this Dodger offense; they score 3 runs and get swept.  Sheckard reached 4 times; so did Chance, so did Schulte, so did Kling, Steinfeldt led in total bases.  Let's say the two starting pitchers, neither of whom gave up a run, are co-MVPs, Lundgren/Pfiester.

The 1907 Cubs move on - they'll meet the winner of this one:

54. 1954 New York Yankees v. 75. 1913 Philadelphia Athletics

-The '52 and '53 Yankees have moved forward; '51 is still to come.  This Yankee team finished second; the A's won the whole thing.

Athletics-Connie Mack

1B McInnis (22)  136   5.5

C Schang (23)     138   2.6

2B Collins (26)    164   9.3

3B Baker (27)      167  8

LF Oldring (29)   113  3.3

RF Murphy (21)  121  2.2

SS Barry (26)       111   5.1

CF Walsh (25)     101   1.5

P Plank (37)        106   3.2

Bench

CF Strunk (24)  134    2.2

SP2 Shawkey (22)  118  .6

SP3 Brown (24)   94     .6

Platoon in CF for Mack. 

Yankees-Casey Stengel

3B Carey (22)  121       4.7 

1B Skowron (23)  167  1.9

CF Mantle (22)     158   5.8

RF Bauer (31)   127      2.7

C Berra (29)     137       5.7

LF Noren (29)  138       3.5

2B McDougald (26)  117  3.8

SS Rizzuto (36)  52       .3

P Ford (25)      123       4.1

Bench

1B Collins (31)  125      1.9

SS Miranda (28)  79     .1

SP2 Grim (24)   107     2.4

SP3 Byrd (29)   116      1.3

Platoons at 1B/SS for Casey.  Yankees are seed favorites, they have WAR advantage at C-LF-CF-RF-all 3 SP

1st: Whitey Ford is a 25 year old lefty; 16-8, 2.82 -- he gives up a leadoff base hit to Stuffy McInnis and after an out, Eddie Collins singles - former Yankee Home Run Baker then singles to score a run; and then Rube Oldring doubles and that scores two. Big start for the A's Athletics 3 Yankees 0

1st: 37 year old lefty Eddie Plank gets the ball for the A's, he gives up a single to Andy Carey, but that's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Irv Noren will get the LF start in each game of the series; he singles with one out and then Gil McDougald walks, Phil Rizzuto then singles and the Yankees have loaded them up - after the second out, Carey singles again, scoring two. Moose Skowron walks - and then Mickey Mantle singles and the Yankees have taken the lead.  Athletics 3 Yankees 4

3rd: McInnis singles again and Wally Schang walks - but Ford keeps the A's off the board.

3rd: After an out, Noren singles again, that's it.

4th: Eddie Murphy singles, after two outs, Jimmy Walsh singles - Ford constantly in trouble, but the A's don't score.

4th: Andy Carey doubles with one out, that's three hits for Carey - but that's it.

5th: Schang walks with one out, that's all.

5th: 20 year old RH Bullet Joe Bush gets the call from Mack - 15 wins on the season; he's the A's 5th starter - Hank Bauer greets him with a base hit - after two outs - they intentionally walk McDougald to face the light hitting Rizzuto - it works.  

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, Ford has really settled down.

7th: Mantle singles - that's it; nice bullpen outing for Bush.  

8th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Ford

8th: 1-2-3 -- we head to the 9th, game still in the balance.

9th: The Yankee closer is 36 year old RH Johnny Sain; 26 saves and a 3.16 ERA - he walks Rube Oldring with one out - the A's do not have a hit since the 4th; Oldring then steals second --- and he scores the tying run on a Murphy single.  Just like that - it's Athletics 4 Yankees 4

9th: Bush still in the game - he walks Carey and the winning run is on base.  But he doesn't advance - and we head to extras.

10th: Amos Strunk pinch-singles with one out; but nothing results.  

10th: 21 year old RH Byron Houck comes on for Mack - he won 14 games on the year; 1-2-3

11th: 29 year RH Tom Gorman with his 2.29 ERA gets the call from Casey - Schang greets him with a base hit - but nothing results.

11th: 1-2-3

12th: The Yankees turn to 37 year old RH Allie Reynolds; he won 13 games on the season - 1-2-3

12th: Moose Skowron singles with one out - that brings up Mantle - Houck is understandably super, super cautious and walks him on four pitches.  Winning run in scoring position now - only the one out - and then Hank Bauer walks.

That's gonna load them up - still just one out- winning run only 90 feet away.

Full count to Yogi.

And he walks him. 

A's 4

Yankees 5

WP Reynolds

LP Houck

A Walk Off Walk for New York in the 12th.  Carey reached 4 times; Skowron twice, scoring the winning run; Mantle 3 times, Bauer/Noren/McDougald all twice.  

For the A's, McInnis reached twice, Schang 3 times, Oldring twice, Murphy twice.  

We go to Philadelphia - A's need to win to extend the series.  The 1907 Cubs await the winner.

LF Noren (29)  138       3.5

C Berra (29)     137       5.7

CF Mantle (22)     158   5.8

1B Collins (31)  125      1.9

RF Bauer (31)   127      2.7

3B Carey (22)  121       4.7 

2B McDougald (26)  117  3.8

SS Miranda (28)  79     .1

SP2 Grim (24)   107     2.4, 

RF Murphy (21)  121  2.2

2B Collins (26)    164   9.3

3B Baker (27)      167  8

CF Strunk (24)  134    2.2

C Schang (23)     138   2.6

1B McInnis (22)  136   5.5

LF Oldring (29)   113  3.3

SS Barry (26)       111   5.1

SP2 Shawkey (22)  118  .6

1st: Right hander Bob Shawkey will spend most of his career with the Yankees, but now he's 22 years old and getting the ball for the A's, 6-5, 2.34. He walks Irv Noren - gives up a single to Yogi Berra - and then Mickey Mantle nearly breaks the ball in half - a Roy Hobbesian blast that makes his game 3-0 before a single out is recorded. Two outs later Hank Bauer singles, the Yankees are up early, Yankees 3 Athletics 0

1st: 24 year old RH Bob Grim was 20-6, 3.26, 1-2-3

2nd: After two out, Noren walks, again - Yogi singles, again - this time Shawkey doesn't throw a pitch near Mantle and the bases are loaded - and he escapes.  

2nd: After an out, Wally Schang homers to dead center and it's 3-1. An out later, Rube Oldring doubles, that's all.  Yankees 3 Athletics 1

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Home Run Baker doubles and Amos Strunk singles - the A's have them on the corners and nobody is out. Wally Schang singles and it's Yankees 3 Athletics 2

5th: Yogi walks and after an out, Joe Collins singles -- a run scores on a Bauer groundout, Yankees 4 A's 2

5th: Eddie Murphy singles with two out, that's all.

6th: Byron Houck is the new A's pitcher - he gives up a one out single to Willy Miranda, nothing else.

6th: Grim hits Home Run Baker - he'll be erased on an Amos Strunk groundout - but Strunk will steal second and then score on a Schang double.  Yankees 4 Athletics 3

7th: Mantle walks with one out, that's all.

7th: Barry reached on an error, two outs later Eddie Murphy singles, that's all.

8th: 29 year old right hander Chief Bender won 21 games and he's the new Philly pitcher - he gives up a one out McDougald single - after the second out, Moose Skowron pinch singles - but thats it.

8th: Tom Gorman takes over for Stengel - 6 outs from advancing - after two out, he walks Schang and McInnis back to back - tying run in scoring position - but that's where the inning ends.

9th: Mantle singles with one out - but we head to the bottom of the 9th, Yanks 4-3.

9th: Johnny Sain looks to wrap up the series - he gets the first two and then Eddie Murphy singles - that brings Eddie Collins, the A's legendary second baseman, to the plate.  He's the winning run - Murphy the tying run.

Sain gets him and its done.

Yankees 4

Athletics 3

WP Grim

LP Shawkey

Mantle's got this one - he reached 7 times, hit that 3 run homer today; he's the MVP.