Week 6 Summary (05/15/1911 - 05/21/1911)

Philadelphia (NL)
Players

Week Six in the books and the pennant races in both leagues continue to be tight. The White Sox started the week in first but were treated rudely at home by Philadelphia, and by the end of the week found themselves only a half-game of hard-charging Boston. Boston and Chicago ended the week with two rainouts in Chicago, so who knows what the standings might look like otherwise. Cleveland, tied in the standings with Boston, has hung in there without Nap Lajoie in the lineup, but he is due to return to play tomorrow. Detroit has only one win in its last ten games, all of them home games, as their pitching has been particularly ineffective.

In the NL the Pirates maintained their slim lead over the Giants by winning two-of-three in New York to end the week. New York (.318) and Pittsburgh (.306) lead the NL in hitting while Pittsburgh (2.34) and New York (3.38) lead the NL in pitching, making it tough for any other team to make a move to the top of the standings. Among the next group of teams, it is Chicago that has made a move to take over third place, finally shaking off the effects of their slow start. Brooklyn and Philadelphia both toggle back and forth behind Chicago, and St. Louis has shown signs of life recently as well.

 

Philadelphia (NL)
Manager Red Dooin

When it comes to statistics the talk of baseball continues to be Shoeless Joe Jackson. After six weeks Jackson is hitting .562, slugging .863, with an on-base percentage of .605. He leads the AL with 50 runs scored (second place is Clyde Milan with 31), and Jackson has 41 RBI’s, ahead of Ty Cobb with 35. Jackson also leads Cobb in hits as well, 82 to 63. Cleveland has played 34 games at this point in the season and Jackson has 27 doubles, so throw in three homeruns and four triples and Jackson is averaging an extra-base hit per game so far. Cleveland has played the last two weeks without Nap Lajoie, the other half of their offensive twin towers, and they are expecting to shortly retake what they feel should be their rightful position at the top of the AL standings.

 

Almost all teams have reached the thirty games played mark by now. Chicago (AL) would be there except that they ended the week with two rainouts, and St. Louis (NL) and Cincinnati had a three-game weekend rained out two weeks ago. Usually, Week Six is the 25% mark for games played in the season, but it has been a rough year weather-wise. Most seasons are 24 weeks long, but looking ahead at the schedule games will spill over in Weeks 25, 26, and even Week 27 (October 20, 1911) - and there is still a World Series to be played after that. I suppose it is early, but there doesn’t seem to be much concern for making up these games sooner rather than later - we have only had one double-header so far, although Memorial Day is coming shortly and the tradition of holiday double-headers is in play.

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Week 6 Results (05/15/1911 - 05/21/1911)

Monday, May 15, 2021

 

Transactions:

 

Pittsburgh catcher George Gibson returned to play on 05/16/1911 following his suspension of 05/11/1911

 

Philadelphia (AL) 6 Chicago (AL) (H) 2

 

The A's built an early 4-0 lead and Jack Coombs (6-1, 1.57) held off several White Sox rally attempts to get the win. Philadelphia added two insurance runs when the Chicago defense suddenly became porous.

 

New York (AL) 5 Cleveland (H) 0

 

The Highlanders continue to bedevil the Naps as Russ Ford (5-1, 1.35) held the Naps scoreless on only three hits. Two of the hits allowed were doubles (#22, #23) by Joe Jackson.

 

Boston (AL) 4 Detroit (H) 0

 

The Red Sox and Smoky Joe Wood (6-1, 1.84) handed the Tigers their seventh consecutive loss with a three-hit shutout. Detroit starter Tex Covington (2-3, 5.52) only gave up five hits but was occasionally betrayed by his defense.

Clyde Milan

St. Louis (AL) (H) 5 Washington 4

The Senators scored four times in the top of the second (all unearned), the big hit being a surprise three-run homerun from center fielder Clyde Milan. St. Louis hurler Jack Powell (2-4, 4.71) settled down after that and held Washington scoreless the rest of the way while the Browns tied the score at 4-4 by the end of the fifth. In the bottom of the ninth, left fielder Burt Shotton led off the inning with a single, stole second, and then promptly scored on a single by third baseman Jimmy Austin for the game-winner.

 

Pittsburgh 16 Boston (NL) (H) 0

 

Howie Camnitz (3-1, 1.33) spun a two-hit shutout in Boston while amply supported by the explosive Pittsburgh offense. The Pirates scored five runs in the second and then in the third backup catcher Mike Simon hit a three-run homerun. Pittsburgh's RBI machine Chief Wilson went 4-for-4 on the day with four runs scored and four RBI's, the last three coming on a three-run triple as part of a five-run eighth.

 

Note: Simon didn’t actually hit a homerun in 1911, so I pulled up his card and he has a 66-4, there were runners on first and second, so that explains it.

 

Brooklyn (H) 4 Chicago (NL) 0

 

Nap Rucker (5-0, 0.96) continued his early season domination by holding the Cubs to only two hits on the day. A two-run double by right fielder Bob Coulson in a three-run fourth was the big hit for the Dodgers.

 

New York (NL) (H) 15 St. Louis (NL) 2

 

The cardinals scored first with a two-spot in the third, but the Giants soon answered with a three-run third and then a seven-run fifth, a three-run homerun from first baseman Fred Merkle being the big hit in the fifth. New York then added five in the seventh just because they could.

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 4 Cincinnati 2

 

The Reds outhit the Phillies 12-10 but Bert Humphries (1-0, 2.51) pitched out of trouble on several occasions and got the complete-game victory.

 

Tuesday, May 16, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Cincinnati pinch-runner Danny Mahoney made his final major league appearance on 05/15/1911

 

Chicago (NL) shortstop Joe Tinker was suspended on 05/15/1911

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 9 Philadelphia (AL) 1

 

The A's scored first but Jim Scott (2-2, 2.43) shut them down the rest of the way and the White Sox came back for an easy 9-1 win. Scott also had a 2-for-3 day with two RBI's to help his own cause.

 

Cleveland (H) 7 New York (AL) 5

 

The Indians got back on the winning track with a hard-fought win over the Highlanders as Vean Gregg (5-1, 1.58) struggled at times but eventually came out on top. Joe Jackson had a 2-for-3 day (.558) that included two runs, two RBI's, a double, and a triple.

 

Detroit (H) 7 Boston (AL) 5

 

Detroit starter Ed LaFitte (3-1, 2.79) got two quick outs to start the top of the first but before the inning was over the Red Sox had put four runs on the board. LaFitte got tough from there and the Tigers roared back to a tight win over the visitors from Boston and ended Detroit's seven game losing streak.

 

St. Louis (AL) (H) 10 Washington 6

 

The Browns usually latent offense came alive today and pounded the Senators for fifteen hits and they collected eight walks to capture the easy win. The only drama occurred when Browns starter Joe Lake (1-4, 5.17) was ejected for plunking too many Senators batters, but Roy Mitchell came in and only gave up one run in four innings of relief to get the save.

 

Pittsburgh 11 Boston (NL) (H) 6

 

Left fielder and Pittsburgh player-manager Fred Clarke had the big game with two homeruns and six RBI's and the Pirates offense continued to punish their opponents. Elmer Steele (6-0, 1.60) only gave up two earned runs as defensive woes behind him dimmed an otherwise sparkling appearance.

 

Brooklyn (H) 8 Chicago (NL) 2

 

The Cubs led 2-1 after the third and there the score stayed until the Dodgers broke loose and scored seven runs in the bottom of the eighth before an out was recorded. Catcher Bill Bergen had the big hit for Brooklyn, a three-run double that put the game out of reach.

 

New York (NL) (H) 8 St. Louis (NL) 3

 

New York scored six unearned runs in the bottom of the first and then cruised home to another victory. Both teams played as if it was a close game, the six-run first notwithstanding. Bugs Raymond (3-1, 3.00) got the win over Bill Steele (2-3, 3.35).

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 5 Cincinnati 4

 

The Reds scored single runs in the eighth and ninth innings to tie the score at 4-4, but in the bottom of the ninth catcher and player-manager Red Dooin smacked a solid single to score first baseman Fred Luderus with the game winner.

 

Wednesday, May 17, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Brooklyn outfielder Sheldon Lejeune made his final season appearance on 05/16/1911

 

Note: Yesterday Cleveland and Detroit became the first two teams to reach the 30 games played mark, but there are plenty of other teams right on their tail.

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 9 Philadelphia (AL) 4

 

In the battle for the top of the standings in the AL Chicago took its second in a row from Philadelphia to climb into first place by a half-game. Left fielder Jimmy Callahan drove in three runs with a double in the third to put the White Sox ahead and then Callahan followed that up with a three-run homerun in the fourth to put the game out of reach.

 

St. Louis (AL) (H) 6 Washington 5

 

The Browns came into the game with a 6-22 record and riding the crest of a three-game winning streak and looking for more. St. Louis took an early 3-0 lead and Barney Pelty (2-1, 3.21) was cruising to an easy win until the Senators came back to tie the score at 4-4 in the eighth. Washington second baseman Bill Cunningham gave the visitors their first lead of the day with a solo homerun in the top of the ninth, but in the bottom half of the inning Jimmy Austin stroked a two-run single and the Browns suddenly had a four-game winning streak.

 

Pittsburgh 6 Boston (NL) (H) 4

 

The Pirates put up a four-spot in the third inning behind back-to-back homeruns from shortstop Honus Wagner and second baseman Dots Miller. Jack Ferry (1-0, 2.25) gave up a few runs late to make it close but was never really in trouble after that.

 

Chicago (NL) 9 Brooklyn (H) 2

 

Lew Richie (6-1, 2.24) gave up two runs to the Dodgers in the first inning but was all he would give up today as Brooklyn ended the day with only four hits. First baseman Frank Chance went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBI's, and a homerun.

 

Note: BBR shows Johnny Kling as the starting catcher for Chicago while ATMgr has Jimmy Archer.

 

New York (NL) (H) 6 St. Louis (NL) 4

 

The Giants broke open a 2-2 game with four runs in the sixth, all four runs coming after two outs. Doc Crandall (3-1, 3.93) held off several Cardinals rally attempts to get the win plus Crandall had a two-run single in the fateful sixth that put New York ahead to stay

 

Note: BBR shows Larry Doyle batting second and Fred Snodgrass batting third while ATMgr has them reversed.

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 5 Cincinnati 1

 

Pete Alexander (7-0, 1.44) dispatched of the Reds quite handily as he limited them to six hits, allowing the Phillies to move past Brooklyn into third place in the NL.

 

Thursday, May 18, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Philadelphia (NL) infielder Clarence Lehr made his major league debut on 05/18/1911. Philadelphia (NL) pitcher Eddie Stack returned to the mound on 05/19/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/18/1911

 

Chicago (NL) shortstop Joe Tinker returned to play on 05/19/1911 following his suspension of 05/15/1911

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Kirby White made his season debut on 05/19/1911

Clyde Engle

Boston (AL) 4 Chicago (AL) (H) 3

 

With two outs and runner on first in the third inning Doc White (4-2, 2.70) suddenly lost control, hit the next two batters, and then gave up a three-run double to third baseman Clyde Engle. Jack Killilay (1-0, 2.00) and Charley Hall held the potent White Sox offense at bay for the rest of the game to secure the win for the Red Sox.

 

Cleveland (H) 9 Washington 8 (10)

 

The Indians were cruising with an 8-4 lead until the Senators started off the top of the ninth with four runs scored before any outs were recorded. Cleveland extracted themselves from that mess with no more damage and then in the bottom of the tenth second baseman Neal Ball singled home third baseman Joe Birmingham with the game winner. Washington left fielder Jack Lelivelt came into the game with only one double on his 82 plate appearances so far this season but today he went 5-for-6 with three doubles to spark the Senators offense.

 

Philadelphia (AL) 9 Detroit (H) 3

 

The score was close at 2-2 through the sixth and then the A's scored seven times in the seventh, salting this one away for Eddie Plank (4-2, 3.52).

 

New York (AL) 4 St. Louis (AL) (H) 3

 

The Highlanders have been on a bit of a roll recently but today they were losing 3-2 heading into the ninth but they managed to string together a couple of hits and retook the lead. Ray Fisher (2-4, 4.32) got the win in relief and Jack Quinn got the save for a 1-2-3 ninth.

 

St. Louis (NL) 4 Boston (NL) (H) 2

 

When it was #7 versus #8 in the NL last week it was Boston versus Cincinnati, while this week it is St. Louis looking to get healthy at Boston's expense. A two-run single by right fielder Steve Evans helped get the Cardinals off to a fast start with a three-run first and Bob Harmon (2-5, 2.53) took over from there.

 

Cincinnati 7 Brooklyn (H) 0

 

The Reds scored two in the top of the first and added on from there, paving the way for Harry Gaspar (5-3, 1.89) to go all the way for the shutout victory. First baseman Dick Hoblitzell hit a two-run homerun in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

 

Pittsburgh 13 New York (NL) (H) 1

 

The AL started off the week with #1 versus #2 (Philadelphia and Chicago) and the NL will end the week in a similar fashion. The Pirates scored six times in the second and then added five more in the fourth to pretty much put an end to this game. Babe Adams (6-1, 2.35) scattered four hits in the game and didn’t give up a run (unearned) until two outs in the ninth.

 

Chicago (NL) 2 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 0

 

Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown (4-4, 1.70) had the good stuff today as he limited the hard-hitting Phillies to only one hit and got the win. Earl Moore (2-6, 5.95) only gave up five hits, but walks have been his bugaboo all season and he gave up six today. Moore did have the only Phillies hit.

 

Friday, May 19, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Boston (AL) pitcher Jack Killilay was injured (?) on 05/18/1911

 

Philadelphia (NL) infielder Clarence Lehr as injured (?) on 05/18/1911. Philadelphia (NL) pitcher Toots Shultz made his final early season appearance on 05/18/1911. Philadelphia (NL) sent Schultz to Buffalo (Eastern), date unknown

 

Detroit pitcher Bill Donovan returned to the mound on 05/20/1911 following his injury of 04/30/1911

 

Cleveland pitcher Pat Paige made his major league debut on 05/20/1911

 

Boston (AL) 6 Chicago (AL) (H) 3

 

A two-out two-run triple by Boston catcher Les Nunamaker was the big hit in a four-run fifth and the Red Sox held off the White Sox for the tough road victory. Ray Collins (3-2, 3.45) picked up the win.

 

Washington 10 Cleveland (H) 4

 

The Naps scored four runs in the first and led most of the game until; the Senators responded with a four-run eight and they then followed that up with a four-run ninth to win going away. Left fielder Jack Lelivelt had his second consecutive strong game by going 3-for-4 with five RBI's and two doubles.

 

Philadelphia (AL) 8 Detroit (H) 5

 

The Athletics scored runs in six of the nine innings as their offense kept up the pressure on the Tigers defense the whole game. Jack Coombs (7-1, 2.00) went all the way but gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth to make the game appear closer than it really was. Home Run Baker had a 5-for-6 day to spark the Athletics offense.

 

New York (AL) 13 St. Louis (AL) (H) 7

 

The Highlanders scored five runs in the third and added on from there, but the Browns didn’t go down easily. New York first baseman John Knight drove in four runs in the game, including a two-run triple late that iced the game for the visitors.

 

St. Louis (NL) 6 Boston (NL) (H) 4

 

The Cardinals continue to struggle for runs but they came through with three runs in the top of the eighth to take their first lead of the game. Roy Golden (2-6, 6.08) got the win with Bill Steele coming in for a two-inning save.

 

Brooklyn (H) 14 Cincinnati 4

 

The Reds got off to a quick start but then the Dodgers offense showed up and thumped the visitors pretty thoroughly with a twenty-two-hit explosion. Weak hitting catcher Bill Bergen went 4-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI's to support Nap Rucker (6-0, 1.45).

 

New York (NL) (H) 4 Pittsburgh 3

 

The Giants moved off to an early lead with two runs in the first and Hooks Wiltse (3-1, 4.78) didn’t allow a Pittsburgh hit until the seventh inning, but unfortunately for Wiltse, right fielder Chief Wilson smoked a three-run double to tie the score at 3-3. Larry Doyle then hit homerun #7 to put second place New York back within two games of first place Pittsburgh.

 

Chicago (NL) 12 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 7

 

Chicago started off the game with a seven-run first and then held off a furious Phillies rally to capture the win. Philadelphia only committed two errors but nine of the runs allowed were unearned. Left fielder Frank Schulte had a 4-for-6 day with three RBI's while third baseman Jim Doyle picked up four RBI's to spark the Cubs offense.

 

Saturday, May 20, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Philadelphia (NL) pitcher Eddie Stack was injured (?) on 05/19/1911

 

New York (NL) pitcher Hooks Wiltse was injured (?) on 05/19/1911

 

Philadelphia (AL) shortstop Jack Barry returned to play on 05/21/1911 following his injury (?) of 05/10/1911

 

Washington 13 Cleveland (H) 3

 

Cleveland's offensive woes continued, only buoyed by the fact that Nap Lajoie is due to return any day now. Today was all Washington as the Senators picked up fifteen hits and twelve walks to pummel the Naps. Bob Groom (2-5, 4.87) gave up two runs in the first but kept Cleveland quiet after that.

Jack Coombs

Philadelphia (AL) 18 Detroit (H) 1

Veteran hurler Bill Donovan (0-1, 60.75) took his first turn on the mound this season and got pasted pretty good as the A's scored nine runs in the second inning, eight of the runs scoring before an out was recorded. Philadelphia kept it up with a seven-run third, all while Jack Coombs (8-1, 1.89) didn't allow a Detroit hit until the fourth inning. The Tigers didn't get on the scoreboard until there were two outs in the ninth. Coombs also chipped in with a 4-for-5 days with two runs scored, an RBI, and a double as he picked up his third win of the week.

 

Note: On this day in 1911 Coombs had a 4-for-4 day at the plate.

 

New York (AL) 3 St. Louis (AL) (H) 1 (10)

 

No offensive explosion here as both teams scored a run in the first and that was it for the scoring until New York right fielder Harry Wolter surprised everyone with a two-run homerun in the top of the tenth. Jack Warhop (3-2, 3.13) got the hard-fought win over Barney Pelty (2-2, 3.08)

 

St. Louis (NL) 18 Boston (NL) (H) 8

 

The Cardinals scored six times in the second then five times in the third as walks and a shaky Boston defense help staked the visitors to a large early lead. Bill Steele (3-3, 3.51) not only got the complete gamer win but also had a 3-for-6 day at the plate with a run scored and four big RBI's.

 

Brooklyn (H) 15 Cincinnati 5

 

The Dodgers scored three times in the first and kept it up from there, but it was an eight-run outburst in the bottom of the seventh that put the game out of reach. Left fielder Zack Wheat had the big day for the Dodgers by going 3-for-4 with four runs scored, three RBI's, and hitting a double and a homerun.

 

Pittsburgh 3 New York (NL) (H) 2

 

The Pirates really don't want to give up their hold on first place and Lefty Leifield (6-1, 2.69) twirled a hard-fought win over the Giants.

 

Chicago (NL) 3 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 0

 

King Cole (2-0, 1.50) held the powerful Phillies to only two hits and went all the way for the shutout win. Cubs second baseman Heinie Zimmerman chipped in with a 4-for-4 day, almost half of Chicago's nine hits.

 

Sunday, May 21, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Detroit first baseman Del Gainer broke his wrist on a HBP on 05/20/1911

 

Philadelphia (NL) third baseman Hans Lobert left the team to attend to a family illness on 05/20/1911. Philadelphia (NL) claimed pitcher Bill Burns (team debut 05/26/1911) off waivers from Cincinnati on 05/22/1911

 

Brooklyn pitcher Elmer Knetzer returned to the mound on 05/22/1911 following his injury (?) of 05/02/1911

 

Cleveland first baseman Nap Lajoie returned to play on 05/22/1901 following his injury (?) of 05/07/1911

 

Cleveland (H) 8 Washington 4

 

After a shaky start Vean Gregg (6-1, 2.09) settled down and shackled the Senators bats for the Cleveland win. Joe Jackson had a 3-for-5 day (.562) with two runs scored and two RBI's to spark the Naps offense.

 

Philadelphia (AL) 5 Detroit (H) 2

 

Detroit starter Jack Lively (2-5, 7.39) has had a rough start to the season but today his defense let him down as the first four runs he allowed were unearned. Philadelphia, as is their wont, took advantage of every break they got and got the tough win in Detroit.

 

St. Louis (AL) (H) 4 New York (AL) 2

 

Lefty George (2-3, 4.34) kept the Highlanders in check and got the win as the Browns, who entered the week with only four wins, ended the week with nine wins.

Week 5 Summary (05/08/1911 - 05/14/1911)

Week Five is in the books and the 1911 replay marches on. Both leagues got off to slow starts as the weather played havoc with the early-season schedule. Most days are seeing a full or almost full slate of games. Cincinnati only has twenty games played, so they have a lot to make up yet. No one has reached the 30 games played mark yet, but by the end of this upcoming week, most teams will be there, or at least very close to it.

St. Louis Browns

The A's are back on top of the AL, but only by a half-game over the White Sox and game-and-a-half over the Naps. The Red Sox are only a game behind Cleveland, so the top of the AL is still all quite close. Detroit is currently suffering through a six-game losing streak, but they are sure to climb back into the pennant race before things are over. New York beat up Cleveland this past week to pass Washington into sixth place, while last place St. Louis, to their credit, came to the realization that they weren't going to get better with the players they already had, so they have begun the process of letting go of poor performers and looking for replacements who maybe can do better.

 

New York (AL) Manager
Hal Chase

Pittsburgh is still atop the NL with a two-game lead over New York, but so far these two teams appear to be the class of the NL. Pittsburgh right fielder Owen "Chief" Wilson had quite a week - he hit his second grand slam of the season in one game and in another game he drove in eight runs. The Cubs have moved into third place based on their improved pitching as of recent, but are only just ahead of Brooklyn and Philadelphia. Cincinnati had gotten off to a terrible start, but they ended Week Five alone in sixth place. Boston plays teams tough but is finding wins tough to come by while St. Louis has slid into the basement in the NL as their offensive woes have continued.

 

Having Nap Lajoie out of the lineup might have slowed down the Cleveland offense, but Joe Jackson is still hitting the ball hard. Jackson leads the AL in hitting (.553), has 41 runs scored, 17 more than second-place Ty Cobb, and has 68 hits, 12 more than Cobb. Jackson now leads Cobb by one in RBI’s (34-33), and Jackson has 21 doubles in only 28 games played. Lajoie, who didn’t play all week, is still third in RBI’s with 27.

 

In the NL, New York catcher Chief Meyers is hitting .471 while batting in the eighth spot in the powerful Giants lineup, plus Meyers has five triples to lead the league. Hans Lobert and Sherry Magee, both from Philadelphia, have 31 RBI’s to tie for the NL league lead, and Chief Wilson is right behind them with 30, following his RBI explosion this past week.

 

As much as I don’t care for intentional walks, I am incorporating them, at least a little, into the replay. Mostly, I am just trying to pick spots where I think they might be appropriate. Sometimes they work, and it makes me look like a genius. Sometimes they don’t though, but that’s baseball. Steals are successful about 70% of the time in both leagues, while I expected the number to be more around 60%, it’s still not that much off. I continue to push on the steal attempts to try and get my counts up, but I fell behind early and it will take me a few weeks (months?) to get caught up.

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Week 5 Results (05/08/1911 - 05/14/1911)

Monday, May 8, 1911

Transactions:

 

Cleveland second baseman Nap Lajoie was injured (?) on 05/07/1911. Cleveland infielder Neal Ball made his season debut on 05/09/1911

 

Brooklyn catcher Otto Miller made his season debut on 05/09/1911. Brooklyn infielder Dolly Stark made his season debut on 05/09/1911

 

Detroit first baseman Jack Ness made his major league debut on 05/09/1911

 

New York (AL) pitcher Jack Warhop returned to play on 05/09/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/25/1911

 

Detroit 7 Chicago (AL) (H) 2

 

Tex Covington (2-1, 5.54) had his best outing of the season as he limited the White Sox to only six hits and went all the way for the win. Ty Cobb was his usual terror at the plate with a 4-for-5 day and four RBI's to lead the Tigers offense.

 

Smoky Joe Wood

Boston (AL) 5 New York (AL) (H) 3

 

The Red Sox jumped on Ray Caldwell (1-3, 4.66) for four quick runs in the top of the first and Smoky Joe Wood (5-1, 2.14) took over from there.

 

Cleveland 11 St. Louis (AL) (H) 4

 

Even with Nap Lajoie out the lineup for a few weeks the Naps continue to roll along as Art Griggs, Lajoie's backup went 3-for-5 with a run, an RBI, and a double. Joe Jackson did his usual - 3-for-5 with three runs scored, three RBI's, and a late homerun that put the game out of reach.

 

New York (NL) 11 Boston (NL) (H) 6

 

New York second baseman Larry Doyle hit his fourth and fifth homeruns of the season to help power the Giants past the pesky Rustlers. Bugs Raymond (2-1, 3.46) was shaky at times but got the win in a six-inning appearance.

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 3 Brooklyn 2

 

Another stellar appearance from rookie pitcher Pete Alexander (5-0, 1.41) to hold off the Dodgers and keep the Phillies within striking distance of the top of the NL.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 7 St. Louis (NL) 1

 

In the battle of Steele versus Steele (no relation) it was Elmer Steele (4-0, 1.55) that outdueled Bill Steele (2-1, 2.49). Bill Steele had thrown two shutouts to start his season but the Pirates played three runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to build their lead.

 

Tuesday, May 9, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Chicago (AL) pitcher Jesse Baker was injured (?) on 05/08/1911

 

Philadelphia (AL) shortstop Jack Barry returned to play on 05/10/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/22/1911

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Jack Ferry made his season debut on 05/10/1911

 

Note: Now that we are into the fifth week of the season the AL easternmost teams have finally taken their first train ride to the Midwest while the NL teams have made their first trip heading the other way, west to east.

 

Boston (AL) 8 Cleveland (H) 7 (13)

 

The Naps scored three times in the first to take the early lead but the Red Sox hung in there and after a run in the top of the eighth Boston scored again in the ninth to tie the score at 5-5. Both teams scored a single run in the tenth, and then they both scored a single run again in the eleventh. Harry Hooper drove home Heinie Wagner in the top of the thirteenth and this time Cleveland didn’t have an answer.

 

New York (AL) 5 Detroit (H) 4

 

With the score tied at 4-4 after the eighth the Highlanders finally took the lead when right fielder Roy Hartzell singled home center fielder Bert Daniels with two outs, Jack Warhop (1-1, 3.95) finished what he started and came away with the win.

 

Boston (NL) (H) 10 Cincinnati 3

 

The Reds led 3-1 after the third but the Rustlers offense kicked into gear after that and Boston won handily. Lefty Tyler (2-2, 5.03) had a shaky start but a strong finish and got the win.

 

Note: BBR shows Johnny Bates starting in right field and Fred Beck starting in center field while ATMgr has them reversed.

 

Brooklyn (H) 1 St. Louis 0

 

Brooklyn's run came in as the result of an error by Cardinals second baseman Miller Huggins and Nap Rucker (4-0, 1.25) did the rest. Bob Harmon (1-5, 2.64) was the hard-luck loser.

 

New York )NL) (H) 5 Chicago (NL) 4

 

The Giants roared back with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to snatch away a win from the Cubs. Second baseman Larry Doyle previously hit homerun #6 to keep the score close and then in the ninth Doyle singled home Beals Becker with the game-winner.

 

Pittsburgh 5 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 4

 

The Pirates scored three times in the second to take a 3-1 lead and then held on from there as neither team would roll over for the other. Babe Adams (4-1, 2.60) went all the way for the hard-fought win.

 

Wednesday, May 10, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Brooklyn pitcher Jack Ryan made his final major league appearance on 05/09/1911. Brooklyn sold Ryan to Mobile (Southern Association) on 05/12/1911. Brooklyn shortstop Bert Tooley was injured (?) on 05/09/1911. Brooklyn outfielder Sheldon Lejeune made his major league debut on 05/10/1911

 

New York (NL) catcher Hank Gowdy made his season debut on 05/11/1911

 

Boston (NL) pitcher Hub Perdue returned to the mound on 05/11/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/21/1911

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Sherry Smith made his major league debut on 05/11/1911

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 4 Washington 0

 

Ed Walsh (5-2, 2.62) handed Walter Johnson (5-1, 1.19) his first loss of the season when the White Sox scored three unearned runs in the fourth, the big hit being a bloop double by first baseman Shano Collins drove home two runs.

 

Cleveland (H) 6 Boston (AL) 2

 

The Red Sox scored once in the top of the first and nursed that one-run lead until the sixth when the Naps finally broke through with two runs coming off back-to-back doubles from Joe Jackson (#20) and Ted Easterly (#11). Cleveland added four more runs in the seventh and Vean Gregg (4-1, 1.16) marched home with the win.

 

Note: BBR shows several differences in the Boston batting order from what ATMgr has.

 

New York (AL) 5 Detroit (H) 3

 

The Highlanders led 4-1 after the fifth and then had to hold off a furious Tigers rally to take home the win. Ray Fisher (1-3, 4.05) got the nod in this one over George Mullin (5-2, 2.61).

 

Philadelphia (AL) 4 St. Louis (AL) (H) 0

 

The A's scored four times in the sixth, two unearned, with a two-run triple by Stuffy McInnis being the big hit. Chief Bender (4-1, 1.12) only allowed three hits on his way to the shutout victory.

 

Cincinnati 9 Boston (NL) (H) 7 (10)

 

This game went back and forth with Boston finally taking a  7-6 lead in the bottom of the eighth, only to see the Reds come right back and tie the score at 7-7 in the top of the ninth. Harry Gaspar (4-1, 1.70) got the win after the Reds scored twice in the top of the tenth and Gaspar got through the bottom half of the inning unscathed.

 

St. Louis (NL) 5 Brooklyn (H) 0

 

Slim Sallee (3-1, 1.67) scattered five hits and kept the Dodgers off the scoreboard for a shutout win.

 

New York (NL) 10 Chicago (NL) (H) 4

 

The Giants scored three times in the second and then added four more in the third, knocking Cubs starter Jack Pfiester (1-4, 7.88) out of the box on their way to an easy win. Hooks Wiltse (2-1, 5.09) got the win while catcher Chief Meyers continued his hot start by going 2-for-4 (.446) with the RBI's.

 

Owen "Chief" Wilson

Pittsburgh 12 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 1

 

Phillies starter Earl Moore (2-5, 6.62) should have been able to get out of the first but two walks and two doubles later the Pirates had a five-run inning, and the visitors kept on from there. Backup third baseman Bill McKechnie went 4-for-6 and was a homerun short of a cycle, but the real big hit in this game was right fielder Owen "Chief" Wilson who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, eight RBI's, a double, and a homerun.

 

Thursday, May 11, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Philadelphia (AL) shortstop Jack Barry was injured (?) on 05/10/1911

 

Washington pitcher Walter Johnson was injured (?) on 05/10/1911

 

Chicago (NL) catcher Tom Needham was injured (?) on 05/10/1911. Chicago (NL) pitcher Jack Pfiester made his final major league appearance on 05/10/1911. Chicago (NL) traded Pfiester to  Louisville (American Association) on 05/15/1911 in return for Reggie Richter

 

Boston (AL) pitcher Frank Smith made his final team appearance on 05/05/1911. Boston (AL) sold Smith to Cincinnati on 05/11/1911 in return for $5000 plus an undisclosed sum to St. Louis (AL) for withdrawing their waiver claim. Boston (AL) outfielder Joe Riggert returned to play on 05/12/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/12/1911

 

St. Louis (AL) pitcher Gus Williams made his final season appearance on 05/10/1911. St. Louis (AL) catcher Paul Krichell made his major league debut on 05/12/1911

 

New York (AL) outfielder Charlie Hemphill returned to play on 05/12/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/25/1911

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Deacon Phillippe made his season debut on 05/12/1911

 

Cincinnati pitcher Frank Smith made his team debut on 05/13/1911. Cincinnati purchased Smith from Boston (AL) on 05/11/1911 in return for $5000

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 10 Washington 1

 

The White Sox put on a power show today as four different Chicago players hit homeruns to the delight of the home fans. Doc White (3-1, 2.31) cruised the victory over Bob Groom (1-4, 5.73).

 

Cleveland (H) 12 Boston (AL) 3

 

Cleveland didn't waste any time as they scored four in the first, but the big hit came in the fourth after Boston intentionally walked Joe Jackson to load the bases with two outs, bringing up right fielder Ted Easterly who immediately smoked a three-run triple to put the game out of reach. Earl Yingling (1-1, 5.32) got the win in his first start of the season.

 

New York (AL) 12 Detroit (H) 0

 

Russ Ford (4-1, 1.62) didn’t give up a hit until the seventh inning and went all the way for the three-hit shutout in Detroit. Ford also checked in with a 3-for-5 day at the plate with two runs scored.

 

Philadelphia (AL) 9 St. Louis (AL) (H) 3

 

The A's scored in each of the first six innings, putting this one quickly to bed for Harry Krause (3-1, 2.84). Krause also helped out by going 3-for-5 at the plate with a run, two RBI's, and a double.

 

Boston (NL) (H) 11 Cincinnati 10

 

The Rustlers scored four times in the first and led 7-3 after the fourth, but couldn’t hold the lead as the Reds came back strong and took a 10-7 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. Two out run-scoring singles by third baseman Scotty Ingerton and right fielder Doc Miller were the keys to the Boston comeback as the home team scored four times in the bottom of the ninth to send the home fans home happy.

 

Brooklyn (H) 7 St. Louis (NL) 4

 

Brooklyn scored first, then St. Louis had the lead, but in the end, the Dodgers came back and held on for the win. Cy Barger (4-2, 4.57) got the win and second baseman John Hummel had the big hit with a two-run single in the seventh that put Brooklyn ahead to stay.

 

Chicago (NL) 7 New York (NL) (H) 6 (14)

 

Chicago was ahead 5-0 after the third, but the Giants took a 6-5 lead after the seventh. Chicago tied the score in the eighth, and that was all the scoring until right fielder Frank Schulte drove home catcher Jimmy Archer with the eventual game-winner, ending the Giants six-game winning streak.

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 5 Pittsburgh 4

 

The Pirates tied the score at 4-4 in the top of the ninth, but the Phillies came right back in the bottom half and won it on a Hans Lobert bases-loaded single. Pete Alexander (6-0, 1.51) scored the run that ended Pittsburgh's five-game winning streak.

 

Friday, May 12, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

New York (AL) first baseman Hal Chase was injured (?) on 05/11/1911

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Harry Gardner was injured (?) on 05/11/1911. Pittsburgh pitcher Sherry Smith made his final season appearance on 05/11/1911. Pittsburgh catcher George Gibson was suspended on 05/11/1911

 

St. Louis (NL) pitcher Rube Geyer was injured (?) on 05/11/1911

 

Cleveland second baseman Art Griggs was injured (?) on 05/12/1911. Cleveland outfielder Mike Mitchell returned to play on 05/13/1911 following an illness in the family on 05/06/1911

 

Boston (AL) sold first baseman Hap Myers (team finale 04/13/1911) on 05/12/1911 to St. Louis (AL). Boston (AL) pitcher Jack Killilay made his major league debut on 05/13/1911

 

Boston (NL) pitcher Hub Perdue was injured (?) on 05/11/1911

 

Chicago (NL) pitcher King Cole made his season debut on 05/13/1911

 

St. Louis (AL) infielder Ed Hallinan made his major league debut on 05/13/1911. St. Louis (AL) acquired first baseman Hap Myers (team debut 5/14/1911) on 05/12/1911 from Boston (AL)

 

New York (NL) catcher Grover Hartley made his major league debut 05/13/1911

 

Detroit infielder Chick Lathers returned to play on 05/23/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/15/1911

 

Brooklyn pitcher Doc Scanlan made his season debut on 05/13/1911

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 11 Washington 6

 

A three-run double by right fielder Ping Bodie in the bottom of the third put the White Sox up 4-3 and they never looked back. Bodie ended up with a 3-for-4 day that included three runs scored as well as his bases-clearing double.

 

Boston (AL) 6 Cleveland (H) 1

 

Eddie Cicotte (2-2, 1.66) didn't allow a run until two outs in the bottom of the eighth and picked up the win. First baseman Rip Williams had three RBI's on the day to spark the Red Sox offense.

 

New York (AL) 9 Detroit (H) 5

 

Ray Caldwell (2-3, 4.50) has been a hard-luck pitcher for the Highlanders so far this year and when Detroit catcher Oscar Stanage hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the second to put the Tigers up 4-0 it looked like it was going to be another rough day. Caldwell settled down though and this time his New York teammates came back strong for the runaway win.

 

Philadelphia (AL) 5 St. Louis (AL) (H) 2

 

The A's scored three times in the top of the ninth and then held off the Browns for the close win.  Jack Coombs (5-1, 1.50) got the win while Earl Hamilton (0-4, 5.55) took the loss.

 

Note: On this date in 1911 the score of this game ended up 17-13 in favor of the Athletics.

 

Cincinnati 12 Boston (AL) (H) 3

 

A two-out three-run double in the first by right fielder Fred Beck got the Reds off to a good start and they poured it on from there, including a five-run seventh. George Suggs (1-3, 4.98) went all the way for his first win of the season.

 

Brooklyn (H) 4 St. Louis (NL) 3

 

Shaky defense plagued both teams but once the Dodgers took the lead George Bell (2-4, 3.61) took over and came out on top of Roy Golden (1-5, 5.36). The big hit was a two-run single by weak-hitting catcher Bill Bergen which also included a muffed throw by St. Louis Rube Ellis that made the difference.

 

Note: BBR shows Miller Huggins batting leadoff and Arnold Hauser batting second for St. Louis while ATMgr has them reversed.

 

Chicago (NL) 5 New York (NL) (H) 3

 

The Cubs got on the board early and Lew Richie (5-1, 2.28) didn’t allow any runs until the eighth inning and went all the way for the win.

 

Pittsburgh 11 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 4 (Grand Slam!)

 

Philadelphia was still within 5-3 but then starter Fred Beebe walked home a run in the top of the sixth, and in order to prevent a repeat he grooved a pitch to right fielder Chief Wilson who thumped a long grand slam for the Pirates and put this game out of reach. This was Wilson's second grand slam of the season.

 

Saturday, May 13, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

Chicago (AL) catcher Bruno Block was injured (?) on 05/12/1911. Chicago (AL) second baseman Amby McConnell was injured (?) on 05/12/1911

 

Cincinnati pitcher Bill Burns (team finale 05/12/1911) was placed on waivers

 

Boston (NL) outfielder/pitcher Patsy Flaherty was injured (?) on 5/12/1911. Boston (NL) pitcher Bill McTigue was injured (?) on 05/12/1911

 

Philadelphia (AL) outfielder Willie Hogan (team finale 05/12/1911) was sold to St. Louis (AL) on 05/13/1911

 

Pittsburgh infielder Alex McCarthy was injured on 05/12/1911

 

St. Louis (AL) outfielder Al Schweitzer was injured (?) on 05/12/1911. St. Louis (AL) outfielder Willie Hogan (team debut 05/14/1911) was purchased from Philadelphia (AL) on 05/13/1911

 

New York (AL) infielder John Knight returned to play on 05/14/1911 following his injury of 04/29/1911

 

Washington 5 Chicago (AL) (H) 2

 

The Senators didn’t have any big innings but the small ones still add up and Dixie Walker (2-0, 3.21) stifled the White Sox for the win.

 

New York (AL) 9 Cleveland (H) 4

 

The Highlanders won their fifth in a row as they took every advantage the Naps gave them and used to build a big lead. Jack Quinn (2-1, 2.92) did give up a two-run homerun to Joe Jackson, but it was late and the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt.

 

Boston (AL) 5 Detroit (H) 4 (11)

 

The Tigers led early, the Red Sox regained the lead midway through the game only to fall behind again, and then finally Boston knotted the score at 4-4. The Tigers had a runner on third in both the ninth and tenth innings  but couldn’t score, and Boston didn’t miss their opportunity when left fielder Duffy Lewis hit a long fly ball to score Harry Hooper with the eventual game-winner.

 

Philadelphia (AL) 4 St. Louis (AL) (H) 2

 

The Browns kept it close all game but couldn't stay with the World Champions as Eddie Plank (3-2, 3.63) outdueled Joe Lake (0-4, 4.71) for the win. First baseman Harry Davis had a two-run single in the sixth to spark the A's offense.

 

Pittsburgh 5 Boston (NL) (H) 3

 

The Rustlers hung tough with the visiting Pirates but run-scoring singles by Honus Wagner and Chief Wilson in the eighth put Pittsburgh ahead to stay. Babe Adams (5-1, 2.70) got the win.

 

Chicago (NL) 7 Brooklyn (H) 4

 

The Cubs got off to a 4-1 lead, but the Dodgers came back to tie the score at 4-4 after the sixth. Chicago put up a three-spot and this time King Cole (1-0, 3.00) made the lead stick for a win in his first start of the season.

 

New York (NL) (H) 1 St. Louis 0

 

Christy Mathewson (5-2, 2.13) held the visiting Cardinals to only one hit and got the shutout win. Slim Sallee (3-2, 1.62) was the hard-luck loser and with this loss the Cardinals have dropped into last place in the NL standings.

 

Cincinnati 5 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 3

 

The Reds kept taking the lead but the Phillies kept coming back to tie the score, at least until the eighth when the Red scored single tallies then and in the ninth to finally put this one away. Bobby Keefe (1-2, 6.48) went all the way for the win.

 

Note: With this game, Cincinnati became the last team to reach the twenty games played mark in this season.

 

Sunday, May 14, 1911

 

Transactions:

 

New York (AL) outfielder Gene Elliott made his final major league appearance on 05/13/1911

 

New York (NL) catcher Hank Gowdy was injured (?) on 05/13/1911

 

St. Louis (AL) catcher Paul Krichell was injured (?) on 05/13/1911. St. Louis (AL) first baseman Pat Newnam made his final major league appearance on 05/13/1911

 

Brooklyn outfielder Hi Myers made his final season appearance on 05/13/1911

 

Boston (AL) infielder Billy Purtell was injured (?) on 05/13/1911

 

Chicago (AL) pitcher Irv Young was injured (?) on 05/13/1911

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Claude Hendrix made his major league debut on 05/15/1911. Pittsburgh signed Hendrix as a free agent, date unknown

 

Philadelphia (AL) catcher Joe Lapp returned to play on 05/15/1911 following his injury (?) of 04/28/1911

 

Cincinnati pinch-runner Danny Mahoney made his major league debut on 05/15/1911. Cincinnati pitcher George McQuillan returned to play on 05/15/1911 following his suspension of 04/26/1911. Cincinnati pitcher Barney Schreiber made his major league debut on 05/15/1911. Cincinnati catcher Hank Severeid made his major league debut on 05/15/1911

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 4 Philadelphia (AL) 3

 

The A's started the day with a 1.5 game lead over the second-place White Sox and Chicago came through with a late win to pull closer to the top of the standings. After Philadelphia took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth right fielder Ping Bodie lined a two-out double off the wall to score two runs and Doc White (4-1, 2.45) finished what he started.

 

Cleveland (H) 5 New York (AL) 4

 

Cleveland has been in a rough patch recently (4-6 record over their past ten games) but they were able to get back on the winning track with a tough win at home over New York. The Naps had to score two runs in the sixth, a run in the seventh, and finally, a run in the eighth to get their first lead in the game, and Spec Harkness (1-1, 3.14) was able to get the complete-game win.

 

Jimmy Austin

Boston (AL) 7 Detroit (H) 6

 

The Tigers were hoping to end a five-game losing streak and after falling behind early they came back to take a 5-4 after the sixth, but couldn’t hold it and the Red Sox came back for the late-inning win. Ray Collins (2-2, 3.86) got the complete-game win.

 

St. Louis (AL) (H) 6 Washington 1

 

The Browns got their fourth win of the season behind the pitching of Barney Pelty (1-1, 3.32) and the bat of third baseman Jimmy Austin. Austin delighted the home fans by hitting back-to-back homeruns to put the Browns ahead early and gave teammate Pelty a little breathing room.