Dramatic Finish!
Plus: Day in Review, May 23, 1908
Dramatic Finish!
I’m not sure that Heinie Berger ever won a game with his bat in real life. Berger hit .131 in his short career, accumulating a total of 11 runs batted in after 4 years.
But he sure did it today.
The Cleveland Naps and Philadelphia Athletics battled it out tooth and nail in this one. Both Heinie Berger and Rube Vickers went the distance, trading excellent inning after excellent inning for a total of 11 frames.
And this is how it ended:
It was a simple base hit for Berger with two men on - and it came after an unsuccessful bunt attempt.
And now Cleveland is rising to the top of the American League.
It’s not every day that you see a pitcher in 1908 give up 5 walks. Vickers should feel happy that the game lasted as long as it did.
Other Action
Browns 7, Red Sox 4: Cy Young lost his 7th game as the Browns walked all over the favored Red Sox. Watch the game here.
Cubs 6, Doves 3: Jack Pfeister overcame giving up 3 runs in the top of the 9th inning as the Cubs marched to an easy win at home.
Phillies 3, Reds 1: The Phillies beat the Reds easily in Cincinnati behind a strong complete game by Tully Sparks.
White Sox 4, Highlanders 1: New York’s woes increased as they lost this one to Chicago by a wide margin. Chicago starting pitcher Frank Smith scattered 7 hits in a dominant complete game victory.
Naps 2, Athletics 1 (11): At Philadelphia, see above.
Heinie Berger, the Cleveland pitcher, proved to be the big hero in this one. Heinie pitched all 11 innings and drove in the winning run in the top of the 11th with a clutch infield single. Watch the game here. Read the summary here.
Pirates 5, Superbas 1: Honus Wagner went 3 for 4, increasing his batting average to .388 and powering the Pirates to a victory at home against Brooklyn.
Giants 7, Cardinals 2: The Giants powered to another victory on the road against the hapless Cardinals. Mike Donlin provided the highlight, getting himself thrown out in classic Broadway fashion. Watch the game here.
Senators 10, Tigers 7: The hometown Senators won a wild one, outlasting the defending American League champions.
Standings
The Naps are starting to pull away from the crowd.