October 11th, 1905 World Series Game 1: Chicago Cubs (0-0) @ New York Highlanders (0-0)
NYY: Jeremy Bonderman (17-14; 3.22) v CHC: Lefty Leifield (26-10; 2.83)
26-game winner Lefty Leifield up for Chicago against Jeremy Bonderman. While Bonderman is a strong pitcher, the lean in this department is definitely towards the Cubs.
Only a smattering of hits in the early going, but it is the Cubs who look more likely to score. And score they do in the 4th when Todd Dunwoody doubles, advances to third on a wild pitch, and comes in on a single by catcher Joel Skinner. They double their lead in the next with a two-out rally as Gross and Tresh are proving handfuls. Gross walks with two out and Tresh singles to move him to second. Another hit by 3B Art Howe then brings the run in.
The home team finally gets something going in the bottom half of that inning as Soderholm singles and gets to third on a one-out single by NY backstop Frank House. An intentional pass to Robertson loads the bases but Bonderman can only pop it up and then Leifield gets out of the jam by retiring pinch-hitter Johnny Ray on a forceout to second.
The Highlanders bats are slowly finding their range and you get the feeling a dam could burst any minute. Sure enough, they finally get on the board via an RBI double by House and then Bonderman helps his own cause with a run-scoring single to tie the game at 2. The momentum shifts completely as now the Cubs look stretched to breaking-point, but like all good pitchers do, Leifield digs deep and holds strong.
The Cubs then get a man into scoring position in the top 9th when pinch-hitter Rob Deer walks and swipes second. But then Highlanders CF John Wilson makes one of those key plays when he nails Deer trying to advance to third on a flyout.
Into extra innings it goes.
In the top 11th, it looks like Bonderman has blinked first when he gives up a one-out trip to Charlie Gelbert. But he regathers himself, striking out Skinner for a crucial second out and then ending the inning by inducing a harmless pop-fly from Leifield. And the Cubs are immediately made to rue their wastefulness, when Soderholm singles to lead off the inning and eventually scores the winning run on a walkoff single by Ernie Courtney.
The Highlanders showed true grit to get home, working their way into the game after a slow start and getting the job done in the clutch. Game 2 back here at Hilltop Park tomorrow.
FINAL SCORE: New York 3, Chicago 2 (11 innings)
BOX SCORE