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QUAKER ST. MAKES 12-RUN COMEBACK, BUT AMERICAN WINS
BATTLE OF PHILADELPHIA FEATURES EXTRAORDINARY 6TH INNING IN 17-13 AMERICAN WIN

PHILADELPHIA (July 29, 1863) – The matchup between the N.B.B.O’s two Philadelphian clubs on Wednesday was not the highest-scoring affair of the season, but it might have been the season’s zaniest contest.

After major rallies in the first & fifth innings saw American exit the opening half of the contest up 12-0, Quaker State scored THIRTEEN times in their turn at bat in the sixth inning, and in doing so became the first team in N.B.B.O. history to erase a twelve-run deficit.

Here was how the bottom of the sixth unfolded:

• LEADOFF: N. Howard – Base on Balls by F. Westwood (stole 2B, scored)
• BATTER 2: C. Thyregod – Single to RCF of F. Westwood (scored)
• BATTER 3: J. Forrest – Base on Balls by F. Westwood, (scored, WP during at-bat allowed 1 run)
• BATTER 4: G. Cooper – 1-run Single between 1B & 2B off F. Westwood (scored)
• BATTER 5: A. Richards – Reached via error by SS V. Hansen that allowed 1 run (scored)
• BATTER 6: R. Saucier – Sacrifice Bunt moved runners to 2B & 3B
• BATTER 7: J. Near – Reached via error by 1B W. Rich (scored)
• BATTER 8: F. Branch – 3-run Double to LCF off F. Westwood (stole 3B, scored)
• BATTER 9: R. Mullett – Base on Balls by F. Westwood (scored)
• BATTER 10: N. Howard – 1-run Infield Single off F. Westwood (scored)
• BATTER 11: C. Thyregod – Hit by Pitch from F. Westwood (scored)
• BATTER 12: J. Forrest – 2-run Single past 2B off F. Westwood (WP during at-bat allowed 1 run)
• BATTER 13: G. Cooper – Reached via Fielder’s Choice at 2B (scored)
• BATTER 14: A. Richards – Base on Balls by H. Kessler (scored)
• BATTER 15: R. Saucier – Reached via error by SS V. Hansen that allowed 1 run (scored)
• BATTER 16: O. Collins (PH) – Single between 1B & 2B off H. Kessler, error by RF D. Pruitt allowed 1 run
• BATTER 17: F. Branch – Bound out to RF (PB during at-bat allowed 1 run)
• TOTAL: 17 Batters, 13 Runs, 6 Hits, 4 Errors, 4 Walks, 2 Passed Balls, 2 Wild Pitches

One would think that allowing a thirteen-run rally to erase a dozen-run deficit would have put American out to pasture for the afternoon. However, American leveled the score at 13-13 in the top of the eighth before scoring four times in the top of the ninth to win 17-13.

The game was a fine microcosm of Quaker State’s season to date. The team has plenty of talent on its senior roster, but they have been utterly unable to turn it into positive results. The loss put Quaker St. at 24-37 – a disappointing record for them but still a marked improvement over where they were on July 1, which was a putrid 14-27.