So much for punchy (see
post #1 for context)...
A much-needed lay day but then a super tricky start to the month with back-to-back doubleheaders at the Beaneaters. Not really what we needed right now, and we make it even harder for ourselves from the off, losing the early game on the 2nd 8-7 despite Williams homering and knocking in 4. The universe has completely turned on us as a massive thunderstorm rains out the late game, further bunching our schedule. Phillippe responds like champions do the next day, getting us a huge 6-0 win with a superb 4-hitter, and O’Neill is also solid in the late game to help us get an 8-2 decision, with Seybold getting four hits and three RBI in one of his best performances for us so far.
Those last two games are just the fillip we need as we head to NYC for three against the Giants, with the division lead on the line and Matty looming large in the middle game. That matchup makes the opening game even more important for us, especially given the rough treatment they doled out on us in our previous meeting, a home sweep loss. It is against Gene McCann, a replacement pitcher for the injured Bob Wicker, one we should be able to pen in the W column. But this is what pressure does to players, as we give up a 4-1 lead late and they walk it off 5-4. Somehow the lads pick themselves up and scald Matty for 14 hits the next day (9 of them in a stunning 6th) to get us a 9-5 win. Even Chesbro gets amongst it with a solo homer. With all the games in a rush you can see the boys are almost out on their feet, but they give me everything and more in a four hour, 14-inning marathon 4-2 win. If we get home this year, this game will be the one that did it; if not, it’ll be the one that cruelled us.
Especially with nine more games before we get another break.
A quirky northeastern swing next courtesy of the rainout just to really test our mettle. I won’t even try to explain it just follow along if you can.
One at the Phillies. We rally late and storm home to a 9-5 win.
A makeup game at Boston. Owen pitches an absolute gem, three-hitting them as we win it 5-0.
Back to Philly for two more. We drop the opener 8-7 as Chesbro’s inconsistency continues to plague him. Worse than that, Dexter hurts his wrist and I’m going to have to manage him real close. I call up Fred Ketchum just to cover us. We win the next day 7-3, although by this stage the world is but a blur to me.
Three at Brooklyn next. A tough 5-2 win gets us off on the right foot as O’Neill continues to grind out key wins for us. Wagner, who goes 3-for-5 with a solo shot (just his second since the start of August), is also showing signs of getting back to his best, which would be a huge plus for us down the stretch. We are on our last fumes by now, as shown in a lifeless 2-0 loss the next day in which we get just 5 hits and waste a great outing by Owen. I have no choice but to rest a bunch the next game, they are just spent, and we lose 9-5 with Chesbro again letting us down when we needed him to step up and the cobbled-together lineup able to muster just 7 hits.
One day to go before a three-day break. It is at home to Cincy, but we have nothing left and cop a 10-4 thumping. The only redeeming thing is the Giants also lose, keeping them 2½ back.
Dexter’s recovery is taking longer than expected, which is not good – we’ve missed him and need him back ASAP.
We resume with a three-game homestand against the Phillies with an off-day between the second and third games. The opener is an absolute shocker, as we give up 7 in the 9th to throw it away 11-6. It’s nearly panic stations when we lose the next one 5-4 in 10 to make it 5 straight defeats. We look like making it 6 but somehow rally with 2 in the 9th to walk off a 3-2 mercy win on a Seybold single. A Giants loss puts us back out to two in front.
Undoubtedly the most important four-game stretch of the season begins with a one-gamer at Chicago. We grit it out for a 6-5 result in 10. Chesbro is good but Malarkey’s poor run continues as he gives up 2 late to send it into spares.
Next, three at home with New York, who are now tied with the Reds 3 back. We can make or imperil our season right here. Our magic number sits at 9. Matty is first up, with Deacon given the huge task to get past him. He doesn’t let us down, keeping them relatively quiet as we take it 4-1. Next, Owen needs to take care of the wily Tom Hughes. He isn’t at his best, but the bats come through for a 9-4 win, with Wagner and Seybold each having three hits. Finally, O’Neill v Happy Townsend. He delivers as well, as we squeeze by 4 to 3, as he goes the distance, doubles twice and drives one in for us in a sensational all-round showing.
That has all but seen off the Jints, but the Reds have also swept their series with Brooklyn and remain 3 back and well within range. The last thing we can afford to do is ease off now. The O’s clinch and can sit back and watch this unfold.
The Superbas come to town for three. They have given us trouble so we will need to be sharp as can be here. Sure enough, we drop the opener 5-4 as Malarkey’s woes continue. Thankfully the Reds also lose. Magic number down to 5. Our bugbear Tannehill next, with Deacon looking for his 20th win. But he, and we, come up short with a 7-6 heartbreaker in a pretty forgettable game all around. The Reds win. Somehow we have to solve these guys. Owen goes up against Bill Donovan in the finale. He isn’t great, but we win another nipper, 7-6 in 10, with Davis the walkoff hero thanks to his game-winning single. Wagner cracks his 10th homer, while Seybold drives in 3. Better news awaits, as the Reds drop their game and we’re down to # 3.
A day off, then our final homestand of the season, against Boston. Of all the times we need a good one from Chesbro, now is that time as he faces Dinneen in the opener. And for once, he doesn’t disappoint as we win it 6-3 and he goes the distance. Wagner is fantastic, homering and knocking in 3, and the Giants are eliminated, leaving only us and Cincy, still 3 adrift.
September becomes October. Frank Owen wins Pitcher of the Month, but we’ve bigger prizes in mind now.
Deacon takes on Vic Willis but puts in an absolute shocker as we are humiliated 12-1 in one of our worst games of the season. The Reds win and close to within two. O’Neill v Winter to close it out – our last home game of the year unless we get into the playoffs. He is great again and we win it 3-2.
Simple math here as we take two days off then head to Chicago for the final series: 2 games left. We just need to win one or have Cincy lose one and we’re home.
In the end we only need one, with Chesbro keeping them quiet in the opener to get us a 7-1 win. He allows just 3 hits in one of his best of the season, while Wagner – magnificent for us down the stretch – homers again.
With apologies to Deacon, who misses one final chance to get his 20th, I sub out as many starters as I can for the final game. It’s been a long and fraught pennant race and some battery-recharging is in order with the Series just a few days off. We lose it 3-1 and finish at 81-59, a solitary game clear of the Reds.
Hot- Honus Wagner: finally having the impact we’d like.
- The whole squad: for its sheer determination and guts to get us home.
Not- Jack Chesbro: 2-3 / 5.90 for September.
Around the Leagues- The O’s clinch going away and end up winning the AL by 6 from the A’s.
- Baltimore’s Charlie Hickman hits for the cycle in a 12-11 loss to the A’s.
- The White Sox lose Fielder Jones for a month with a hip strain. It may not single-handedly cost them the season, but it doesn’t do them any favours either, as their fadeout attests.
Awards- 09/02 POTW: AL – Bill Bradley (Cleveland) 462 / 1 HR / 7 RBI; NL – Patsy Donovan (Brooklyn) 552 / 3 RBI.
- 09/09 POTW: AL – Nap Lajoie (Philadelphia) 538 / 4 RBI; NL – Elmer Flick (Philadelphia) 552 / 7 RBI.
- 09/16 POTW: AL – Nap Lajoie (Philadelphia) 562 / 1 HR / 8 RBI; NL – Jake Beckley (Philadelphia) 642 / 2 RBI.
- 09/23 POTW: AL – Mike Donlin (Baltimore) 467 / 2 HR / 9 RBI; NL – George Van Haltren (New York) 615 / 3 RBI.
- 09/30 POTW: AL – Frank Chance (Chicago) 500 / 3 HR / 6 RBI; NL – Topsy Hartsel (Chicago) 433 / 8 RBI.
- AL Batter of the Month: Nap Lajoie (Philadelphia) 487 / 3 HR / 27 RBI.
- NL Batter of the Month: Harry Davis (New York) 458 / 4 HR / 27 RBI.
- AL Pitcher of the Month: Doc White (Detroit) 5-1 / 2.31 / 30 K / 50.2 IP.
- NL Pitcher of the Month: Mike O’Neill (Pittsburgh) 5-0 / 1.84 / 12 K / 44 IP.
- AL Rookie of the Month: Doc White (Detroit).
- NL Rookie of the Month: Mike O’Neill (Pittsburgh).