August 15, 1916 ...
By all odds the most interesting baseball game played at Fenway Park this year was provided today, as the champion Red Sox nosing out the Senators, 1 to 0, in 13 innings.
Walter Johnson was on the mound for the visitors and was never in better form or showed more stuff. He was frequently cheered by the crowd, who figured that he was showing invincible form and, seemingly, overlooked the fact that “Babe” Ruth was
going strong, clearing out-pointing Johnson at the finish. The winning run was driven in by Larry Gardner in the 13th, an inning that gave the crowd plenty of thrills and a finish that sent the fans home delighted.
In the last session, with one out, Morgan reached first safely on Janvrin’s wild throw to first. Morgan was given second on a supposed balk by Ruth. The Boston players made a vigorous protest, for Ruth was not on the rubber at the time but Nallon was
obdurate. A hit would have meant a lot of damage at this stage. Milan smashed a liner that Hobby froze to and cut to Janvrin at second for an important double play, and the danger was passed.
Jack Barry led off for the 13th with an infield single. Duffy Lewis
then struck out on a curve two feet wide of the plate. Dick
Hoblitzell flied out to center and then Tilly Walker smashed a sharp single to center, sending Barry around to third.
It was up to Larry Gardner, who
had already contributed a single and a triple. Then to crown off his day’s work, he
laced the first ball up the center, driving it out between right and
center for a walk-off game winner.
Babe Ruth pitched every bit as good as Johnson did and finished stronger, for the one run made by Boston was earned on three safe drives by Barry, Walker and Gardner. Barry's double in the first inning was the extent of hitting off Johnson for six
innings. In the meantime the Senators were in a position to score in the second when Rice and Williams hit safely with only one out. Flies to Walker and a great catch by Harry Hooper ended the threat.
It was an air-tight game won solely on its merits. The Washington players said after the game, that it was the best pitched game that Walter Johnson has pitched since they left home a month ago.
