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In a game that underscored the transformative power of the league redraft, the Washington Senators emerged as a cohesive force on April 16, 1946, outmuscling the retooled Boston Red Sox in a 7–0 shutout. From the outset, Washington’s new-look roster—featuring seasoned names now donning a fresh uniform, such as George Case, Marty Marion, Mickey Vernon, and Tommy Holmes—made their presence felt. In the bottom of the first, a combination of smart baserunning and timely contact saw the Senators carve out an early 2–0 advantage. The offensive onslaught continued in the lower third when Tommy Holmes’ single paired with Mickey Vernon’s clutch double pushed the tally to 3–0, setting the tone for what would become a masterclass in opportunistic scoring.
As the game progressed, the Senators’ momentum only grew. In the bottom of the fifth, Ray Mueller’s explosive triple brought Bobby Doerr and Jim Tabor across the plate, extending the lead to 5–0, while the bottom of the sixth delivered the final blow—a well-timed double from Tommy Holmes that drove in George Case and Marty Marion for two more runs. Meanwhile, the reconfigured Red Sox lineup, now featuring players like Stan Hack, Harry Walker, and Phil Cavarretta in unfamiliar roles, could find no answers to Washington’s relentless attack. In a display reminiscent of baseball’s most unpredictable narratives, the Senators’ blend of veteran savvy and redrafted ambition shone through, leaving the Red Sox to wonder where it all went wrong on a day when every pitch and play told a new story.
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