Going The Distance
Plus: Day In Review, May 12, 1908
Going The Distance
It never fails. Every time I try to fit in a quick game before an important meeting, it winds up being a marathon.
This one was pretty wild. The Pirates came into this game on a losing streak and hoping to get back into the pennant race. The Giants, meanwhile, are simply awesome.
New York had a 3-2 lead, but gave up a run in the bottom of the 8th. And then things crawled forward.
We went through inning after inning with no score. Both teams had baserunners, but neither could push a run across.
It wasn’t until the top of the 16th that the Giants broke through:
This was Steve Evans, a pinch hitter I’m doing my best to avoid overusing. Cards like his look excellent when you come across them, but you’re only going to skew your results if you give him more than two plate appearances.
Anyway, Steve’s single put them ahead by one, the Giants tallied another, and that was that.
This has been the longest 1908 game to date. 24 hits and 6 errors makes for a pretty lengthy affair.
I probably should have bunted a bit more often, in hindsight. There should have been more than 3 successful bunts overall. But, hey, you live and learn.
Other Action
Tigers 6, Red Sox 5 (10): At Boston, the Tigers blew a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 9th inning only to come back to win it in the 10th. Watch the game here. Read the summary here.
Phillies 2, Cubs 1: At Chicago, the Phillies score one in the 8th and another in the 9th to squeak by the Cubs. Watch the game here. Read the summary here.
Reds 2, Doves 1 (11): At Cincinnati, the Reds find a way to win in the bottom of the 11th. Read the summary here.
Naps 4, Highlanders 1: At New York, Cleveland easily defeats the hapless Highlanders. Watch the game here.
Athletics 6, White Sox 4: At Philadelphia, Jack Coombs takes a shutout into the top of the 9th, only to walk the bases loaded and give up 4 runs. Philadelphia still holds on to win. Watch the game here.
Giants 5, Pirates 3 (16): At Pittsburgh, see above.
Cardinals 7, Superbas 2: At St. Louis, the Cardinals win big against the Superbas despite being outhit 12-10.
Browns 5, Senators 1: At Washington, Bill Dinneen gets the complete game win as the Browns make short work of the Senators. Watch the game here.
Standings
The Giants are starting to take control of the National League. I suppose the Athletics are doing the same in the American League, though I have my doubts about that team.