Turning It Around In Detroit

Plus review of games on April 21, 1908

Turning It Around In Detroit

The defending American League champion Detroit Tigers haven’t had the best start to the season. It’s early, but the Tigers have a 2-4 record, and are near the bottom of the league.

But this one at home against the Browns might turn it around for them.

Longball

We’ll join this game somewhat late, in the top of the 8th inning, with the Tigers in front, 2-1. Jimmy Williams came up for the Browns with one out:

That was a big hit, and not just because it was a rare 1908 home run. Williams had been hitting poorly in the early season, and wound up with a batting average of only .200 after this game. But it was a key home run in a key moment, and it wound up sending this one to extra innings.

The Rally

As usual, 1908 is a bit difficult to describe due to the derth of offense. Detroit managed to get a runner on first in the bottom of the 8th and the bottom of the 9th, but got no further. St. Louis, meanwhile, managed absolutely nothing after the Williams home run.

And on we went to the bottom of the 10th. Claude Rossman led things off for Detroit:

One double column adventure down — and one to go. Up came Red Downs:

And, just like that, the Tigers had managed a 3-2 victory.

Yes, you saw right: Cobb is only hitting .259 so far. It’s early, though, and the rolls are bound to change.

Other Action

Athletics 2, Red Sox 0: At Boston, the Athletics won a quiet one. Jack Coombs threw a 4-hitter. Watch the game here.

Giants 9, Superbas 7 (16): At Brooklyn, the Giants won one of the craziest games I’ve ever seen. Read the writeup here.

White Sox 4, Naps 3: At Cleveland, the White Sox pull off an exciting come-from-behind win. Read the writeup here.

Tigers 3, Browns 2 (10): See above.

Senators 6, Highlanders 3: At New York, the Senators manage to win one against the surprisingly good Highlanders. Watch the game here.

Doves 5, Phillies 1: At Philadelphia, Boston’s Gus Dorner throws a 2-hitter in a quiet affair.

Standings

It’s still Boston and New York in the American League, though the White Sox are starting to play better. Meanwhile, the Cubs look unstoppable in the National League.