Pirates Hexed
Plus: Day In Review, June 8, 1949
Pirates Hexed
There’s a reason why I play every game myself.
I don’t want to miss these crazy ones.
This one looked like a blowout at first. The Pirates scored 7 runs in the first 4 innings, going up 7-0. The Phillies then came back with 3 in the bottom of the 4th and 6 in the bottom of the 5th, going out to an improbable 9-7 lead.
None of the pitchers lasted long. Elmer Riddle of the Pirates came out in that fateful bottom of the 5th after giving up 6 runs. Pittsburgh used a whopping 6 pitchers to cover only 8 innings.
In my renegade fashion, I decided to stick with Hank Borowy through thick and thin. He gave up 9 runs, 8 earned, on 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings.
The craziest part of this game? Nobody hit a home run. That includes Ralph Kiner, who has been hitting home runs for fun recently. Kiner went 1 for 4, causing his batting average to sink to .390.
The Pirates have the muscle, but they don’t have the pitching.
By the way — the letter to the editor pictured above comes from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on June 9, 1949, page 8. I guess sometimes fiction resembles reality quite nicely.
Other Action
Red Sox 7, Browns 4: The hometown St. Louis supporters went home sad, as the Red Sox won this one easily. Watch the game here.
Athletics 20, White Sox 3: Philadelphia proved that Comiskey Park is indeed friendly to hitters, provided you have the right hitters. It also helps when the White Sox pitchers yield 14 walks. The White Sox are sinking like a rock. The Athletics, meanwhile, clearly belong in the American League pennant conversation. Watch the game here.
Indians 8, Senators 1: Bob Feller delighted the hometown crowd, giving up only a single run on 8 hits as the Indians dominated the Senators. Watch the game here.
Yankees 7, Tigers 5: Detroit came so close to winning this game in front of the hometown fans. The Tigers had a 4-3 lead at one point, but the Yankees came roaring back. George Kell struck out with two on in the bottom of the 9th to seal the loss. Watch the game here.
Dodgers 7, Cubs 3: The Brooklynites had something to cheer for after watching their hometown heroes emerge victorious in this one. Every Dodger had a hit — other than Jackie Robinson, that is. The Dodgers scored two unusual runs with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th: one on a dropped third strike, the next on a base on balls.
Braves 1, Reds 0 (10): Connie Ryan sent the hometown fans in Boston home estatic after hitting a home run in the bottom of the 10th to win this one. Ken Raffensberger struck out 9 Braves, but couldn’t get the first man out in the bottom of the 10th. Cincinnati wound up with only 3 hits; the Braves managed only 5. Read the summary here.
Giants 9, Cardinals 4: The Polo Grounds was all abuzz as the Giants won yet another game. St. Louis made it interesting with a 3 run bulge in the top of the 7th, but never came any closer than that. Watch the game here.
Phillies 10, Pirates 9: At Philadelphia, see above.
Standings
The American League couldn’t be closer. Meanwhile, those Dodgers are starting to come back in the National League.