Gotta Push That Final Run Across
Plus Day In Review, May 20, 1949
Gotta Push That Final Run Across
You’ve got to make sure you get that final run across.
The Philadelphia Athletics erased a two run deficit the hard way in this game. They were down 2-0 in the bottom of the 7th inning with runners on first and second when Wally Moses came up:
Philadelphia couldn’t get either of the two runners to score, however, and went into the 8th trailing 1-1.
Then, in the bottom of the 8th, another chance presented itself. Joe Coleman came up with one out and runners on first and second:
That tied the score at 2 each.
Now, we played conservatively; after all, there was only one out. Eddie Joost popped out to shortstop for the second out, but then Elmer Valo walked, loading the bases. Unfortunately, Hank Majeski popped out to shortstop, and that ended that rally.
There was more in the 9th inning.
Moses led things off:
That brought up Ferris Fain:
I thought for sure that the Athletics were destined to win after that play. Up next came Sam Chapman:
Now there were two men on, still with only one out. Nellie Fox was up next:
That made two outs. But then Joe Astroth came up with this:
Maybe I was too aggressive this time and too conservative in the bottom of the 8th? Who knows.
We went on into extra innings, where the Athletics pitching staff promptly walked the bases full. This was the killer:
Now, we talk a lot about RBIs — whether they really matter, whether they mean anything for analysis, and so on. I’ll tell you something, though. Not driving in the run can really cost you in a game.
Other Action
Red Sox 4, Indians 2: At Boston, the Red Sox won this game easily to remain in contention. Watch the game here.
White Sox 9, Yankees 8: At New York, Chicago comes up with a miracle. Watch the game here. Read the summary here.
Tigers 4, Athletics 2 (10): At Philadelphia, see above.
Senators 10, Browns 8: At Washington, the Senators get 17 hits, more than they get most weeks.
Dodgers 7, Cardinals 5: At St. Louis, the Cardinals get 15 hits and still manage to lose. The Dodgers are 13-2 in their last 15 games.
Pirates 12, Braves 8: At Pittsburgh, the Pirates win a game filled with offense. Watch the game here.
Phillies 11, Cubs 3: At Chicago, the Cubs play poorly in a bad loss.
Giants 13, Reds 5: At Cincinnati, the Giants score 10 in the top of the 8th inning, taking advantage of 3 Cincinnati wild pitches by 3 different pitchers. New York commits 5 errors in a winning cause. Watch the game here.
Standings
I’m still having a hard time seeing how this Yankees team keeps losing.