Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

Aside from the sloppy play (3 errors) and letting the Senators back into the game (4 runs over the final 2 innings), this was a solid performance by Sam Leever and teammates. With the 8 to 5 victory over the Washington Senators (29-27), the Boston Americans (31-25) maintained its place in the American League playoff race.

Leever (8-5) picked up the win after allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits, 3 walks, and 1 hit batsman; Game Score 52. Ed Poole (1-1) was tagged with the loss after serving up 7 earned runs on 13 hits and 1 walk in 6 innings of play; Game Score 22. Jock Menefee covered a scoreless 1 inning of play before turning the ball over to Doc Scanlan who allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits in the final 2 innings of the game.

The Boston hitting machine was on overdrive today, as Frank Chance (3 for 5, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs), Solly Hofman (3 for 4, Double, Triple, 3 Runs), and Fred Clarke (3 for 5, Run, RBI, Stolen Base) each had an outstanding day at the plate. For the Senators, their big hits came from their pinch-hitters of Tim Jordan (1 for 1, Double, Run), Jack Doyle (1 for 1, Triple, Run, 2 RBIs), and Hans Lobert (1 for 1, Double).

Player of the Game: Frank Chance (Season: #2 / Career: #11)

[OmahaBaseball]

Falling behind early, the Boston Americans (31-26) could not close the gap and fell to the visiting Cleveland Naps (27-30) by a score of 3 to 2.

Jake Weimer (5-10) tossed one of his better games of the season, limiting the opposition to 2 earned runs on 9 hits and 4 walks; Game Score 61. This was a tough loss for Noodles Hahn (9-5) after he allowed 3 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk in his 104-pitch outing; Game Score 71.

The Naps limited offense came from Harry Wolverton (1 for 3, Double, 2 RBIs) and Harry Lumley (1 for 4, Run, RBI). Dave Brain (2 for 4, Double, Run), John Farrell (1 for 2, 2 Walks), and Solly Hofman (1 for 3, Double, RBI) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Noodles Hahn (Season: #9 / Career: #70)

[OmahaBaseball]

The season's longest consecutive game hitting streak end tonight, with Ed Delahanty's streak ending at 29 games. During the streak, Delahanty went 53 for 120 (.442 AVG) with 9 Doubles, 4 Triples, 2 Homeruns, 20 Runs, 22 RBIs, and 8 Walks. With the streak, "Big Ed" saw his batting average rise by .045; his OBP by .056, and his SLG by .054 -- nicely done!

[OmahaBaseball]

Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Mike Lynch was named the American League Rookie of the Month. In picking up his 1st RofM award, Lynch posted a 6-1 record with a 2.41 ERA in 59.2 innings of play.

[OmahaBaseball]

Just two months into his major league career and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Frank Smith has already captured two National League Rookie of the Month awards. In earning his latest RofM award, Smith posted a 5-2 record with a 3.19 ERA in 62.0 innings of play.

[OmahaBaseball]

Arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Rube Waddell took home American League Pitcher of the Month honors. The Washington Senators ace captured his 5th career PofM award by posting a 7-1 record with a 1.18 ERA in 76.1 innings of play which generated 2.6 WAR and 2.4 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

What a month it was for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jack Pfiester. In picking up his 1st National League Pitcher of the Month award, Pfiester posted an 8-0 record and a 1.35 ERA in 80 innings of play.

[OmahaBaseball]

Big Ed Delahanty is a fan favorite of the Cleveland Naps faithful who did not disappoint during the month of May. In taking home his 5th career American League Batter of the Month award, Delahanty batted .412 (49 for 128) with 9 Doubles, 3 Triples, 1 Homerun, 17 Runs, 17 RBIs, and 8 Walks for a slashline of .412/.453/.563 that resulted in 1.9 WAR and a 213 OPS+.

[OmahaBaseball]

Cincinnati Reds 2B Nap Lajoie is no stranger to success. While he has struggled, at least by his high standards, at the plate this season, the month of May brought success. In earning his 8th career National League Batter of the Month award, Lajoie went 42 for 118 (.356 AVG) with 9 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 Homerun, 19 Runs, 16 RBIs, 8 Walks, and 3 Stolen Bases for a slashline of .356/.398/.475 that resulted in 1.8 WAR and 1.09 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

Wanted to show my ballot for the upcoming All-Star game.

[OmahaBaseball]

The latest player development report is out, with several bumps and boosts that are noteworthy.

[OmahaBaseball]

A frustrating extra-innings loss, as the Cleveland Naps (28-30) topped the Boston Americans (31-27) by a 4 to 3 score in 10 innings. With the loss, the Americans fell back to 3rd place in the American League playoff race.

Wild Bill Donovan (8-6) picked up the win by limiting the opposition to 3 earned runs on 10 hits, 4 walks, and 1 wild pitch during his 10 inning, 172-pitch outing; Game Score 62. Despite pitching well, Johnny Lush (7-8) took the complete game loss after allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 1 wild pitch while striking out a season high 11 batters in his 152-pitch outing; Game Score 75. Because this marks Lush's 6th loss in his last 8 decisions, I am going to move him down in the rotation.

While the Naps had limited offense, the contributions of Erve Beck (1 for 1, Double, Run), Watty Lee (1 for 3, Triple, RBI), and Harry Wolverton (2 for 4, Run) provided the needed support. For the Americans, Dave Brain (3 for 5, 2 Triples, RBI) and Fred Clarke (1 for 5, Triple, Run) played well in defeat. Of Note, Dave Brain tied an American League regular season game record with his 2 Triples.

Player of the Game: Johnny Lush (Season: #9 / Career: #9)

[OmahaBaseball]

Despite a 33 minute rain delay during the 4th inning, this was a close ballgame throughout. In the end, the Boston Americans (32-27) topped the visiting Cleveland Naps (28-31) by a 6 to 4 score. With the win, the Americans moved back into 2nd place; 1 game out of the top spot in the American League standings.

Jesse Tannehill (7-7) picked up the win by limiting the opposition to 4 earned runs on 8 hits, 1 walk, 1 wild pitch, and 1 hit batsman; Game Score 59. Kid Nichols (6-9) was tagged with the loss after allowing 6 runs (2 earned) on 11 hits and 1 wild pitch; Game Score 44.

Leading the way at the plate for the Americans were Solly Hofman (1 for 3, Double, Run, Stolen Base), Johnny Lush (2 for 2, RBI), and Kid Elberfeld (1 for 4, Run, 2 RBIs, Stolen Base). The Naps found offense from Doc Gessler (2 for 4, Double, Run, 2 RBIs), Ed Delahanty (2 for 4, Run), and Lee DeMontreville (1 for 3, 2 Runs).

Player of the Game: Jesse Tannehill (Season: #6 / Career: #64)

[OmahaBaseball]

An exciting game that saw the Boston Americans (33-27) pick up the 3 to 2 victory over the visiting New York Highlanders (29-31). The win, coupled to a Detroit loss, moves the Americans into a tie for 1st-place in the American League standings.

With his 5th consecutive win, Sam Leever (9-5) limited the opposition to just 2 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks; Game Score 62. Wiley Piatt (6-8) was saddled with the loss despite allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits and 4 walks; Game Score 55.

The timely hitting of John Farrell (3 for 4, Double, RBI), Frank Chance (1 for 2, RBI, 2 Walks, Stolen Base), and Fred Clarke (1 for 3, Triple, Run) powered the Boston offense. Lave Cross (2 for 4, Double, RBI) and Fred Odwell (2 for 3, Run) played well in the loss.

Player of the Game: Sam Leever (Season: #7 / Career: #43)

[OmahaBaseball]

Despite falling behind early in the game, the Boston Americans (34-27) found a way back and ultimately prevailed over the New York Highlanders (29-32) by a 6 to 2 score; much to the delight of the 8,537 fans in attendance. The win moves the Americans into sole possession of the American League lead.

It wasn't pretty, but Noodles Hahn (10-5) did what was necessary to lead his team to victory. In picking up the win, Hahn allowed 2 earned runs on 11 hits and 3 walks; Game Score 59. Christy Mathewson (9-10) was burdened with the loss after serving up 6 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits and 5 walks in 7 innings of play; Game Score 35. Win Kellum covered the final inning in a scoreless effort.

The Americans offense was powered by Frank Chance (3 for 4, Triple, Run, 2 RBIs), Chick Stahl (1 for 2, RBI, 2 Stolen Bases), and John Farrell (1 for 3, Run, RBI, Walk). For the Highlanders, Otto Krueger (3 for 4, Stolen Bases), Jimmy Collins (2 for 5, Triple), and Christy Mathewson (1 for 2, 2 RBIs).

Player of the Game: Noodles Hahn (Season: #10 / Career: #71)

[OmahaBaseball]

Well things got a little tight and the 7,633 fans may have started to feel the nerves, but in the end the Boston Americans (35-27) topped the New York Highlanders (29-33) by a 5 to 4 score. The Americans maintain the top spot in the American League standings.

Johnny Lush (8-8) picked up the win by limiting the Highlanders to 4 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9; Game Score 60. Addie Joss got the start for New York but did not factor into the decision, as he left the game after 8 innings in which he allowed 4 earned runs on 10 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit batsman; Game Score 50. Win Kellum (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits in 1/3 of an inning.

There were several nice hitting performances on the day, with Fred Clarke (3 for 5, Run, 2 RBIs), Solly Hofman (3 for 5, 2 Runs, RBI, 2 Stolen Bases), and Chick Stahl (2 for 4, Run) performing in the win, while Jimmy Collins (3 for 5, Triple, Run, 2 RBIs) and Roy Thomas (2 for 5, Double, 2 Runs) were solid in the loss.

Player of the Game: Johnny Lush (Season: #10 / Career: #10)

[OmahaBaseball]

While he got off to a difficult start to the season, Cleveland Naps pitcher Jake Weimer appears to have turned things around. In picking up the American League Player of the Week award, Weimer posted a 2-0 record with a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings of play. This is Weimer's 1st PofW honor.

[OmahaBaseball]

The National League Player of the Week award was given to Philadelphia Phillies veteran outfielder Ducky Holmes. In picking up his 2nd career PofW honor, Holmes batted .500 (13 for 26) with 2 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 Homerun, 1 Run, 10 RBIs, and 3 Walks for a slashline of .500/.567/.769 that resulted in 0.8 WAR and 0.77 WPA.

[OmahaBaseball]

The latest Power Rankings are out and the Brooklyn Superbas (36-27) sit atop the race. In close pursuit are the Boston Americans (36-27) and Cincinnati Reds (36-27). The St. Louis Browns (28-35) and St. Louis Cardinals (29-34) are tied for the bottom spot, with the Chicago White Sox (26-37) not far behind.

[OmahaBaseball]

Aurora Rush catcher Claude "Admiral" Berry put together a memorable performance in a recent game against the visiting Henderson Jackhammers. Despite falling by an 8 to 7 score, Berry hit for the cycle on his way to a 4 for 5 night with 2 Runs and 2 RBIs. The 24-year old prospect (Round 3, Pick 14 - 46th overall selection in 1903 draft) is looking to parlay his recent success in a promotion to the next level.