Lightning Strikes Twice
Dodgers at Reds Game 2, May 22, 1949
Lightning Strikes Twice
It happened again.
Wyrostek won both games of the same doubleheader with walk-off home runs.
I can scarcely believe it myself.
The heroics began in the bottom of the 7th of a tight 2-2 game. Danny Litwhiler was up there against Preacher Roe with Ted Kluszewski on first and nobody out:
Up next came Hank Sauer:
We tried to score Kluszewski right away, but he was thrown out. Next was Bobby Adams:
And that set things up for Wyrostek’s first act of heroism:
A Suitable Ending
It didn’t end there, of course.
Duke Snider came up with Jackie Robinson (who else?) on third base in the bottom of the 8th:
And, well, that set things up for the bottom of the 9th.
First came Hank Sauer, who hasn’t been hitting well:
And then there was Wyrostek:
Jackie Robinson’s performance in this doubleheader will sadly go overlooked. He went 4 for 5 in the first game, scoring two runs. He followed that up with a 1 for 3 performance with a walk, a stolen base, and another run scored in the second.
I’m not sure why the computer manager is so fond of using Paul Minner as a relief pitcher. He seems like the worst possible guy to face Wyrostek.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are really in danger of falling far behind in the pennant race. It may be early, but, then again, the Giants aren’t losing.
Other Action
Red Sox 6, Tigers 5: At Detroit, Boston mounts an excellent comeback. Watch the game here. Read the summary here.
White Sox 3, Senators 0: At Washington, Howie Judson pitches the White Sox to a shutout victory despite giving up 5 walks.
Athletics 7, Indians 1 (Game 1): At Philadelphia, the Athletics take advantage of Gene Bearden’s wildness. Bearden gives up 8 walks in less than 6 innings pitched. Watch the game here.
Indians 10, Athletics 3 (Game 2): At Philadelphia, the Indians exact their revenge by demolishing Athletics pitching. Watch the game here.
Yankees 8, Browns 2 (Game 1): At New York, the Yankees find their bats again, battering the helpless brown pitching. Watch the game here.
Browns 7, Yankees 0 (Game 2): At New York, the Yankees are shut out by Karl Drews, who pulled off the feat despite giving up 7 walks. Watch the game here.
Reds 3, Dodgers 2 (Game 1): At Cincinnati, Johnny Wyrostek hit a home run in the bottom of the 9th inning to complete the comeback. Read the summary here.
Reds 5, Dodgers 3 (Game 2): At Cincinnati, see above.
Braves 5, Cubs 3: At Chicago, the Braves teed off Chicago pitching, winning easily.
Giants 11, Cardinals 4 (Game 1): At St. Louis, the Giants teed off Cardinal pitching, winning this one easily. Watch the game here.
Giants 11, Cardinals 6 (Game 2): At St. Louis, the Cardinals get out to an early 6-1 lead, but watch hopelessly as it evaporates before their eyes. Mickey Livingston’s 8th inning at bat provided the final blow:
Phillies 7, Pirates 6 (Game 1): At Pittsburgh, the Phillies overcome an early 4-1 deficit with a monster 4 run 8th inning. Pittsburgh came within one in the bottom of the 9th, but couldn’t get the bottom of the order to hit. Watch the game here.
Phillies 5, Pirates 4 (Game 2): At Pittsburgh, the Phillies win another close one from the Pirates. Ralph Kiner makes the final out with the bases loaded. Kiner ends the series with 3 home runs and 5 runs batted in, all in a losing cause. Watch the game here.
Standings
I’ll have more statistics for you tomorrow.